Gilbert Peerey (10-5-10)

 

Gilbert Peerey

Gilbert Frank Peerey, 85, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 5, in Alvin, Texas.

He was born June 8, 1925, in Adamsville, to John V. and Lillie L. Peerey (Reaves). He graduated from high school at age 17 as the salutatorian of his class. At 17, he entered the Air Force, at 19, he completed basic and advanced pilot training, and became a pilot and career officer in the Air Force. He truly was an officer and a gentleman. After retiring from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel in 1964, he was an executive pilot for Sears Roebuck Co, worked for NASA in Cape Kennedy, Fla. and then retired from Ohio University after 30 years as the Director of Airport Operations.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife Lida. He retired at age 70 to his farm in Albany, Ohio, and lived there until the summer of 2007, after which he lived in Alvin, Texas with his daughter Lisa Dingman.

He lived a life truly worthy of love and respect from his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren, who adored him, Lisa Dingman and family of Alvin and Amarillo, Texas, John Peerey and family of New Marshfield, and Athens, Ohio, Tamara Porter and family of Athens and Ashland, Ohio, and Edwin Peerey (deceased) and family of Albany, Ohio.

“They don’t make men these days as honorable as our father.”

Our father will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in the spring of 2011. His final resting place will be next to his wife of 49-1/2 years, who preceded him in death in October 2003.

He will be profoundly missed by his family. We are thankful that he looked forward to heaven and being reunited with his family, his parents, his wife, and five brothers and sisters who passed away in childhood.

Condolences may be addressed in care of Elizabeth Dingman, at 1806 Autumn Pond Circle, Alvin, Texas, 77511.