John Perdock

John Edward Perdock

Des Moines

John Edward Perdock, 85, passed away on July 11, 2011 in the company of family and health care staff at Wesley Acres in Des Moines.

He was born on September 26, 1925 in Washington, IA, the second son of Peter and Bertha (Winga) Perdock. He started working at an early age, delivering newspapers and working as a busboy at Winga's, his uncle's restaurant. In later years, he enjoyed demonstrating for his children the art of carrying a large number of plates on one arm - much to the alarm of his wife.

After graduating from Washington High School, John enlisted in the Air Force and served as a navigator during WWII. He attended college at the University of Iowa, where he met his bride-to-be, Geraldine "Gerry" Relf of Decorah, IA. They married on September 4, 1948 and moved to Des Moines. John became a Certified Public Accountant while working for Ernst and Ernst; he later joined Denman and Company, where he became a partner. He served on the Governor's Economy Committee for Robert D. Ray and was appointed treasurer for the City of West Des Moines by Mayor Henry Gering.

John had a lifelong love of music. He played the trumpet in the Urbandale Community Band and the Greater Des Moines Community Band. He sang in the Men's Chorus and the choir at the West Des Moines United Methodist Church. His fellow Rotary members could always count on him to serve as song leader at their weekly meetings. John and Gerry spent many hours ballroom dancing, playing bridge with friends, and attending plays. John also enjoyed coaching his sons' little league baseball team.

John and Gerry traveled extensively. At first, they traveled around Iowa and surrounding states during family vacations. After their children left home, they broadened their scope, going on tours and attending Elderhostels throughout the United States and around the world. By 1995, they had visited every state and six continents.

John is survived by Gerry, his beloved wife of 63 years; brother, William "Bill", and his spouse, Ellen, of Washington, IA; daughter, Susan, of Woodburn, IA; son, Philip, and his spouse, Pamela, of Washington, IA, and their daughter, Erin, and her spouse, Trevor Martin, of Iowa City, IA; son, Dennis, and his spouse, Mary, of Des Moines, IA, and their daughter, Katherine, of St. Paul, MN.

A memorial service will be held in the community room at Wesley Acres, 3522 Grand Avenue on Monday, July 18, 2011 at 2 p.m. Interment of the ashes will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Wesley Acres.