Condolence: So sorry for your loss

Condolence: Irma, Kathleen and all the family - so very sorry for your loss My deepest sympathy to all on the passing of Don. May God less you all and keep you in His loving care.

Condolence: Dearest family of my cousin Don, I am so sorry for the loss of this kind man. He will be missed by so many. He loved helping others. Rest in sweet sleep Don. All our love and prayers, Joyce Ann and Tim (Lambert) Hatfield.

Condolence: In Memory of my buddy Donald Gene Perdue: Don was my dearest and close lifelong friend. Don and I were friends from when I was an 8th Grader and he was a high school Freshman where we played summer baseball. During high school, Don was one of our best pitchers for 3 years and played football as a senior. He was an end and I remember Don catching a touchdown in a game against Abingdon High School; I can still see the smile on his face after that event. After high school, Don had a job for several years at the Sycamore Company Store at Patterson, VA. While working at the store, Don met his lovely wife Corena Matney. We played semi-pro baseball then and he was deeply in love; the baseball team got tired of Don singing a popular song at the time. He was continuously singly “ Cornea, Corena, where have you been so long…” We usually went to semi-pro baseball games in the back of pickup trucks and Don would let the countryside know he was in love with Corena. I also remember a 1971 “Prophecy of the Graduartng Class of 1956” by one of Don’s Classmates (Judy Lundy) which was as follows: “That evening in 1971, I watched the Brooklyn Dodgers murder the Yankees, and recognized the Dodger’s pitcher as Don Perdue. Don pitched a no-hitter that day, as he did every day.” After Don and Corena got married, they moved to Northern Virginia and purchased their first home in Woodbridge, VA. They had 3 wonderful children (Bryan, Rodney and Donna), and later purchased an acre of land near Manassas. Don Addison (GHS Class Of 1948) built them a custom house on this acre; Don’s wife and Corena where related. Don and Corena were visiting my beloved Harriet and I in Alexandria, VA when Corena was pregnant with Donna; we kept Bryan and Rodney for a while while Don took Corena to the hospital for Donna’s birth. Don raised his family in Manassa, Va and we lived in nearby Nokesville with our 2 daughters (Celeste and Angela). Our families visited quite often; Don’s kids and mine became good friends. Very sad to say, but we were there when Don lost his beloved Corena. Corena was a great wife, mother and friend. I remember when Don’s friend Jesse Roberts, who also worked in the FT Belvoir Commissary with Don, introduced Don to Irma. Our 2 daughters, Harriet and I attended their wedding. And, it was a special honor to be a part of their wedding party. I can remember how proud Don was when Bryan played 2nd base for the Osborn Park High School in Manassas, VA. Baseball was in his blood along with Redskin’s fever. Don had season tickets to the Redskins games for many years. Harriet and I were there when Irma had Don’s daughter Kathleen. We were there for each of his kids (Bryan, Rodney and Donna) marriages. Those where all very happy times for Don’s family and mine. Don and Irma were also there in my sad times when I lost my beloved Harriet. Don and Harriet were GHS classmates and dear lifelong friends also. After my retirement to Arizona, I usually visited Don on my annual trips to VA. We spent many hours talking about old times. These were happy and delightful times for both of us. I made sure that Don got copies of my 3 books on the History of Garden High School. According to Irma, he completely enjoyed the books. I am deeply honored to have had such a delightful friend for all these years and proud to have shared his lifetime. He was a true buddy and I will miss Don,,,, and is warm smile. But on a positive note, Don will always be with me because of all our wonderful memories we’ve had together. Bill Coxton

Condolence: Our deepest sympathy to the Perdue family. Love and Prayers, Dave, Donna Shingle Family