'Denny' Perdew, 59, of Santee, CA., died Sunday, April 15, 2007.
After serving his country in the United States Air Force, he proudly served San Diego County as a Journeyman Plumber for 30+ years. He worked for Ideal Plumbing in his last six years. Many of his coworkers addressed him as "THE MASTER." He took great pride in his work as well as his family.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, two sons, his parents, a brother, and two sisters.
Denny's eulogy, delivered by his father, Col. Denning M. Perdew Sr.:
"I see many people that I haven't yet met. I am Denny's father. Like my son, and my grandson, my name is Denning. -But I go by the nickname 'Jack'.
I'd like to tell you a few things about my son that you may or may not know.
Denny was born into a military family. His father was a career Air Force officer. During his youth, he lived in a number of states including Mississippi, Florida, Maryland, Alabama, Virginia, Texas, Kansas and Nebraska.
And he spent a year in France and another on the Island of Okinawa.
By the time he entered the Air Force in 1967, he had attended schools in seven different locations.
During his four year tour in the Air Force, he was trained and performed duties as a skilled technician in the installation and repair of heating, air conditioning and plumbing systems.
After four years of honorable service which included an overseas assignment in the Philippines, he was discharged from active duty in the state of Washington.
It was during this period that he married and his first son, Denning III was born.
Denny enjoyed camping and hiking in the pine forests of the northwest and lived in the state of Washington for several more years before returning to his home state of California. For us, his parents, there had been too many long separations and we were happy to have him back in southern California where we could get together and enjoy his company.
In 1998, he married his lovely wife Teresa, and their family soon grew to four with the arrival of their beautiful children, daughter Sara and son Steven. They have become a close knit, loving, caring family.
Denny had some characteristics that differentiated him from others.
For one thing, he was a neatnik. Even as a youngster, his belongings were stored neatly in boxes and labeled. His clothing was arranged carefully in his closet and he made his bed each morning on arising - or so we thought.
We discovered that he was covering himself with a separate blanket and sleeping atop his made-up bed.
In more recent years, it was awesome to see the orderly placement of tools and supplies inside his plumbing truck. -And his garage office was always in tip-top shape and ready to receive company.
Another characteristic: he was very analytical, very curious and interested in solving problems.
He first demonstrated this as a very young child by taking his playpen apart - without the use of tools, I might add.
In later years, I watched him at work balancing the springs of a garage door. He wasn't satisfied with his initial installation and redid his work several times until he had the door so well-balanced that it could be opened and closed with one finger.
On another occasion, he removed the engine from his VW Beetle, took it apart, reassembled it and reinstalled it in the vehicle again - all of this for the same reason that he took his playpen apart - his intense curiosity.
At some point, we awarded him the nickname of 'Denny Do-It' because he seemed able to do most anything. I might add that he wasn't fond of that appellation.
Even as a highly skilled plumber, he was constantly studying and analyzing and learning from each problem that he encountered. He wasn't content to just do a job. He wanted to do it well. He was something of a perfectionist.
He was most generous with his time and always available to take care of any of our problems. On those occasions, it was a joy to see him work. He was always good about explaining things as he went along.
And the price was right. He told us many times that we had free plumbing for life.
Denny loved his family very much and he and Teresa built their lives around the activities of their children.
They were always present at the volleyball net, the baseball diamond, the soccer field or poolside at a water polo game to support or encourage their children.
And there was homework. Most of us parents have helped our kids with homework. Denny went further than that. He attended a math class with his daughter, Sara, so that he could be better able to help her.
Yes, he loved his family, his wife and his three children and they all loved him. And they will miss him very much.
His illness provided the opportunity for me to visit with him more than might have been otherwise possible.
I volunteered to take him to most of his chemotherapy sessions and this gave us several hours to visit.
And we did some talking and we worked crossword puzzles... but much of the time, especially as he became so fatigued from the disease and his treatments, we did little or no talking and he did more napping.
It was enough though. We just enjoyed our time together.
Denny fought a valiant battle but from the very onset of the disease, we were made aware by his doctor that the odds were very much against him.
We never stopped praying for a miracle. But it was not to be and he is now with our Father in heaven.
We give thanks to God for the nearly 60 years that we had together with our beloved son Denny. And we are comforted to know that there will be a day when we will be with him again.
Speaking for his parents and his wife and children, we would like to thank you for honoring Denny's memory by your presence here today - and for the love and assistance you've given to Teresa and her family.
After serving his country in the United States Air Force, he proudly served San Diego County as a Journeyman Plumber for 30+ years. He worked for Ideal Plumbing in his last six years. Many of his coworkers addressed him as "THE MASTER." He took great pride in his work as well as his family.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, two sons, his parents, a brother, and two sisters.
Denny's eulogy, delivered by his father, Col. Denning M. Perdew Sr.:
"I see many people that I haven't yet met. I am Denny's father. Like my son, and my grandson, my name is Denning. -But I go by the nickname 'Jack'.
I'd like to tell you a few things about my son that you may or may not know.
Denny was born into a military family. His father was a career Air Force officer. During his youth, he lived in a number of states including Mississippi, Florida, Maryland, Alabama, Virginia, Texas, Kansas and Nebraska.
And he spent a year in France and another on the Island of Okinawa.
By the time he entered the Air Force in 1967, he had attended schools in seven different locations.
During his four year tour in the Air Force, he was trained and performed duties as a skilled technician in the installation and repair of heating, air conditioning and plumbing systems.
After four years of honorable service which included an overseas assignment in the Philippines, he was discharged from active duty in the state of Washington.
It was during this period that he married and his first son, Denning III was born.
Denny enjoyed camping and hiking in the pine forests of the northwest and lived in the state of Washington for several more years before returning to his home state of California. For us, his parents, there had been too many long separations and we were happy to have him back in southern California where we could get together and enjoy his company.
In 1998, he married his lovely wife Teresa, and their family soon grew to four with the arrival of their beautiful children, daughter Sara and son Steven. They have become a close knit, loving, caring family.
Denny had some characteristics that differentiated him from others.
For one thing, he was a neatnik. Even as a youngster, his belongings were stored neatly in boxes and labeled. His clothing was arranged carefully in his closet and he made his bed each morning on arising - or so we thought.
We discovered that he was covering himself with a separate blanket and sleeping atop his made-up bed.
In more recent years, it was awesome to see the orderly placement of tools and supplies inside his plumbing truck. -And his garage office was always in tip-top shape and ready to receive company.
Another characteristic: he was very analytical, very curious and interested in solving problems.
He first demonstrated this as a very young child by taking his playpen apart - without the use of tools, I might add.
In later years, I watched him at work balancing the springs of a garage door. He wasn't satisfied with his initial installation and redid his work several times until he had the door so well-balanced that it could be opened and closed with one finger.
On another occasion, he removed the engine from his VW Beetle, took it apart, reassembled it and reinstalled it in the vehicle again - all of this for the same reason that he took his playpen apart - his intense curiosity.
At some point, we awarded him the nickname of 'Denny Do-It' because he seemed able to do most anything. I might add that he wasn't fond of that appellation.
Even as a highly skilled plumber, he was constantly studying and analyzing and learning from each problem that he encountered. He wasn't content to just do a job. He wanted to do it well. He was something of a perfectionist.
He was most generous with his time and always available to take care of any of our problems. On those occasions, it was a joy to see him work. He was always good about explaining things as he went along.
And the price was right. He told us many times that we had free plumbing for life.
Denny loved his family very much and he and Teresa built their lives around the activities of their children.
They were always present at the volleyball net, the baseball diamond, the soccer field or poolside at a water polo game to support or encourage their children.
And there was homework. Most of us parents have helped our kids with homework. Denny went further than that. He attended a math class with his daughter, Sara, so that he could be better able to help her.
Yes, he loved his family, his wife and his three children and they all loved him. And they will miss him very much.
His illness provided the opportunity for me to visit with him more than might have been otherwise possible.
I volunteered to take him to most of his chemotherapy sessions and this gave us several hours to visit.
And we did some talking and we worked crossword puzzles... but much of the time, especially as he became so fatigued from the disease and his treatments, we did little or no talking and he did more napping.
It was enough though. We just enjoyed our time together.
Denny fought a valiant battle but from the very onset of the disease, we were made aware by his doctor that the odds were very much against him.
We never stopped praying for a miracle. But it was not to be and he is now with our Father in heaven.
We give thanks to God for the nearly 60 years that we had together with our beloved son Denny. And we are comforted to know that there will be a day when we will be with him again.
Speaking for his parents and his wife and children, we would like to thank you for honoring Denny's memory by your presence here today - and for the love and assistance you've given to Teresa and her family.
'Denny' Perdew, 59, of Santee, CA., died Sunday, April 15, 2007.
After serving his country in the United States Air Force, he proudly served San Diego County as a Journeyman Plumber for 30+ years. He worked for Ideal Plumbing in his last six years. Many of his coworkers addressed him as "THE MASTER." He took great pride in his work as well as his family.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, two sons, his parents, a brother, and two sisters.
Denny's eulogy, delivered by his father, Col. Denning M. Perdew Sr.:
"I see many people that I haven't yet met. I am Denny's father. Like my son, and my grandson, my name is Denning. -But I go by the nickname 'Jack'.
I'd like to tell you a few things about my son that you may or may not know.
Denny was born into a military family. His father was a career Air Force officer. During his youth, he lived in a number of states including Mississippi, Florida, Maryland, Alabama, Virginia, Texas, Kansas and Nebraska.
And he spent a year in France and another on the Island of Okinawa.
By the time he entered the Air Force in 1967, he had attended schools in seven different locations.
During his four year tour in the Air Force, he was trained and performed duties as a skilled technician in the installation and repair of heating, air conditioning and plumbing systems.
After four years of honorable service which included an overseas assignment in the Philippines, he was discharged from active duty in the state of Washington.
It was during this period that he married and his first son, Denning III was born.
Denny enjoyed camping and hiking in the pine forests of the northwest and lived in the state of Washington for several more years before returning to his home state of California. For us, his parents, there had been too many long separations and we were happy to have him back in southern California where we could get together and enjoy his company.
In 1998, he married his lovely wife Teresa, and their family soon grew to four with the arrival of their beautiful children, daughter Sara and son Steven. They have become a close knit, loving, caring family.
Denny had some characteristics that differentiated him from others.
For one thing, he was a neatnik. Even as a youngster, his belongings were stored neatly in boxes and labeled. His clothing was arranged carefully in his closet and he made his bed each morning on arising - or so we thought.
We discovered that he was covering himself with a separate blanket and sleeping atop his made-up bed.
In more recent years, it was awesome to see the orderly placement of tools and supplies inside his plumbing truck. -And his garage office was always in tip-top shape and ready to receive company.
Another characteristic: he was very analytical, very curious and interested in solving problems.
He first demonstrated this as a very young child by taking his playpen apart - without the use of tools, I might add.
In later years, I watched him at work balancing the springs of a garage door. He wasn't satisfied with his initial installation and redid his work several times until he had the door so well-balanced that it could be opened and closed with one finger.
On another occasion, he removed the engine from his VW Beetle, took it apart, reassembled it and reinstalled it in the vehicle again - all of this for the same reason that he took his playpen apart - his intense curiosity.
At some point, we awarded him the nickname of 'Denny Do-It' because he seemed able to do most anything. I might add that he wasn't fond of that appellation.
Even as a highly skilled plumber, he was constantly studying and analyzing and learning from each problem that he encountered. He wasn't content to just do a job. He wanted to do it well. He was something of a perfectionist.
He was most generous with his time and always available to take care of any of our problems. On those occasions, it was a joy to see him work. He was always good about explaining things as he went along.
And the price was right. He told us many times that we had free plumbing for life.
Denny loved his family very much and he and Teresa built their lives around the activities of their children.
They were always present at the volleyball net, the baseball diamond, the soccer field or poolside at a water polo game to support or encourage their children.
And there was homework. Most of us parents have helped our kids with homework. Denny went further than that. He attended a math class with his daughter, Sara, so that he could be better able to help her.
Yes, he loved his family, his wife and his three children and they all loved him. And they will miss him very much.
His illness provided the opportunity for me to visit with him more than might have been otherwise possible.
I volunteered to take him to most of his chemotherapy sessions and this gave us several hours to visit.
And we did some talking and we worked crossword puzzles... but much of the time, especially as he became so fatigued from the disease and his treatments, we did little or no talking and he did more napping.
It was enough though. We just enjoyed our time together.
Denny fought a valiant battle but from the very onset of the disease, we were made aware by his doctor that the odds were very much against him.
We never stopped praying for a miracle. But it was not to be and he is now with our Father in heaven.
We give thanks to God for the nearly 60 years that we had together with our beloved son Denny. And we are comforted to know that there will be a day when we will be with him again.
Speaking for his parents and his wife and children, we would like to thank you for honoring Denny's memory by your presence here today - and for the love and assistance you've given to Teresa and her family.
After serving his country in the United States Air Force, he proudly served San Diego County as a Journeyman Plumber for 30+ years. He worked for Ideal Plumbing in his last six years. Many of his coworkers addressed him as "THE MASTER." He took great pride in his work as well as his family.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, two sons, his parents, a brother, and two sisters.
Denny's eulogy, delivered by his father, Col. Denning M. Perdew Sr.:
"I see many people that I haven't yet met. I am Denny's father. Like my son, and my grandson, my name is Denning. -But I go by the nickname 'Jack'.
I'd like to tell you a few things about my son that you may or may not know.
Denny was born into a military family. His father was a career Air Force officer. During his youth, he lived in a number of states including Mississippi, Florida, Maryland, Alabama, Virginia, Texas, Kansas and Nebraska.
And he spent a year in France and another on the Island of Okinawa.
By the time he entered the Air Force in 1967, he had attended schools in seven different locations.
During his four year tour in the Air Force, he was trained and performed duties as a skilled technician in the installation and repair of heating, air conditioning and plumbing systems.
After four years of honorable service which included an overseas assignment in the Philippines, he was discharged from active duty in the state of Washington.
It was during this period that he married and his first son, Denning III was born.
Denny enjoyed camping and hiking in the pine forests of the northwest and lived in the state of Washington for several more years before returning to his home state of California. For us, his parents, there had been too many long separations and we were happy to have him back in southern California where we could get together and enjoy his company.
In 1998, he married his lovely wife Teresa, and their family soon grew to four with the arrival of their beautiful children, daughter Sara and son Steven. They have become a close knit, loving, caring family.
Denny had some characteristics that differentiated him from others.
For one thing, he was a neatnik. Even as a youngster, his belongings were stored neatly in boxes and labeled. His clothing was arranged carefully in his closet and he made his bed each morning on arising - or so we thought.
We discovered that he was covering himself with a separate blanket and sleeping atop his made-up bed.
In more recent years, it was awesome to see the orderly placement of tools and supplies inside his plumbing truck. -And his garage office was always in tip-top shape and ready to receive company.
Another characteristic: he was very analytical, very curious and interested in solving problems.
He first demonstrated this as a very young child by taking his playpen apart - without the use of tools, I might add.
In later years, I watched him at work balancing the springs of a garage door. He wasn't satisfied with his initial installation and redid his work several times until he had the door so well-balanced that it could be opened and closed with one finger.
On another occasion, he removed the engine from his VW Beetle, took it apart, reassembled it and reinstalled it in the vehicle again - all of this for the same reason that he took his playpen apart - his intense curiosity.
At some point, we awarded him the nickname of 'Denny Do-It' because he seemed able to do most anything. I might add that he wasn't fond of that appellation.
Even as a highly skilled plumber, he was constantly studying and analyzing and learning from each problem that he encountered. He wasn't content to just do a job. He wanted to do it well. He was something of a perfectionist.
He was most generous with his time and always available to take care of any of our problems. On those occasions, it was a joy to see him work. He was always good about explaining things as he went along.
And the price was right. He told us many times that we had free plumbing for life.
Denny loved his family very much and he and Teresa built their lives around the activities of their children.
They were always present at the volleyball net, the baseball diamond, the soccer field or poolside at a water polo game to support or encourage their children.
And there was homework. Most of us parents have helped our kids with homework. Denny went further than that. He attended a math class with his daughter, Sara, so that he could be better able to help her.
Yes, he loved his family, his wife and his three children and they all loved him. And they will miss him very much.
His illness provided the opportunity for me to visit with him more than might have been otherwise possible.
I volunteered to take him to most of his chemotherapy sessions and this gave us several hours to visit.
And we did some talking and we worked crossword puzzles... but much of the time, especially as he became so fatigued from the disease and his treatments, we did little or no talking and he did more napping.
It was enough though. We just enjoyed our time together.
Denny fought a valiant battle but from the very onset of the disease, we were made aware by his doctor that the odds were very much against him.
We never stopped praying for a miracle. But it was not to be and he is now with our Father in heaven.
We give thanks to God for the nearly 60 years that we had together with our beloved son Denny. And we are comforted to know that there will be a day when we will be with him again.
Speaking for his parents and his wife and children, we would like to thank you for honoring Denny's memory by your presence here today - and for the love and assistance you've given to Teresa and her family.
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