Archie and Margaret McPherran

2014 - 2021

Archie & Margaret (Mann) McPherran
December 7, 2014 - June 12, 2021
Sacramento, California - It happens once in a lifetime. The stars aligned, and you find yourself in the right place at the right time. That place was the Officer's Club in Norfolf, Virginia where Margaret Mann, a Navy nurse, met Archie McPherran, a Navy Officer in May 1944. They became engaged later that summer. On August 27th 1945 they were married at Wee Kirk O'The Heather, in Glendale, California. They were married for sixty-nine years During that time they would have two sons, Mark and Bruce McPherran. Bruce, an electronics engineer, who died in 2003 from a brain tumor On December 7, 2014 Dr. Archie LeRoy McPherran died holding his wife's hand at his home in Sacramento. He was 94 years years old. He was born in Dixon County, Nebraska on February 15,1920 where he attended a one room rural school through the fifth grade. He went on to graduate from Wayne State College, attend Princeton University, a Master's degree from Western Reserve University, and a Doctorate degree from the University of Nebraska. He served as an Educational Administrator in Nebraska, Illinois, and California. He retired after serving as Vice Chancellor under Governor Reagon. He then worked as a financial broker.
During WWII he was an active duty Navy Officer, serving aboard an aircraft carrier that was involved in combat in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. His carrier was seriously damaged by Japanese suicide planes off Okinawa in April 1945.
Archie was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Sons of the American Revolution, and an Honorary admiral in the Nebraska Navy. Wayne State College gave him it's Academic Achievement Award, and the University of Nebraska School of Education named him one of its notables. Dr. McPherran is the author of five books and numerous articles. On June 12th, 2021, Peg (as she was fondly called by her family and friends) passed away at home in Sacramento. She was 99 years old. Margaret ("Peg") Mann McPherran was born in Pontypridd, Wales, Great Britain on November 29, 1921. She emigrated to this country when she was four years old. Her parents and older sister Patricia settled in Cleveland, Ohio. After becoming a registered nurse, Margaret joined the Navy Nurse Corps during World War II. She liked telling her nephew Randy McPherran," that "at 99 she was probably the oldest living nurse still alive from WWII," but instructed him " not to say anything until after (she) was dead so it wouldn't mess with (her) pension." In 1963 Peg graduated Magna Cum Laude with her B.S. degree in Nursing. from Fresno State. Later when the family moved to Sacramento she accepted a position as a mental health nurse with Sutter Hospital. When she retired in 1975 she had advanced her way to become Head Nurse of her Dept. During the 1970's and 80's, Peg and Archie loved to travel. They visited all 50 states, and 27 countries. Peg loved to knit. She made scarves, hats, and hand warmers for the homeless. Peg also knitted projects for the Cordova Christmas Project She loved watching the Nasa channel, and staying up late watching old movies. Reading was also a lifelong passion of hers.
Peg was preceded in death by her sister Patricia, and her brother Robert. Peg and Archie are survived by their son Mark McPherran and his wife Neda. Bruce's wife Michelle McPherran, granddaughters Caitlin Lombardi and Kaylen McPherran, grandsons Ian, Andrew, and Stuart McPherran, great-grandsons Peter, Greyson, Colby, and Lincoln McPherran; great grandsons Oliver and Henry Lombardi and great granddaughter Charlotte Lombardi; and brother and sister in laws Hazel Bern, Betty Hartung, Jeanette Boyer and Jerry McPherran. Along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Sadly two members of "The Greatest Generation" are no longer with us. Services and interment will be at the Arlington National Cemetery. No date has been given yet.