Guy Dorman Perham

Guy passed away on Feb 23, 2022, at Rockwood Manor in Spokane, WA.

Born May 20, 1928, in Spokane, WA to parents Dr. Guy Mitchell Perham and Dorothy Marguerite Dorman. He grew up in Spokane and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School, and Washington State University. As an undergraduate at Washington State University, he was chapter secretary and vice president of the Gamma Theta chapter. Guy graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in architecture and received a Master of Public Administration from George Washington University in Montgomery Alabama in 1964. He married his first wife, Shirley Ann Reed, on March 2, 1951, in Spokane. Guy has three children: Virginia Kay Rankin (Cody), Thomas Reed (Laurie), and Guy Mitchell (Diane). He married Sylvia Joyce Rivett on Aug 9, 1972, in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Sylvia loved being an Air Force wife, and sadly predeceased him in May 2018.

After graduation from Washington State University, he joined the Air Force and spent the next 30 years as a pilot and commander. He participated in the Korean War, has more than 6,000 hours of flying time, 2,000 hours of combat experience and flew more than 200 missions during the Vietnam War. He commanded a Flight Group and a Squadron and at the end of his career was commander of the 92nd Bomb Wing at Fairchild AFB. Guy also served as a Director of Strategic Analysis for the Air Force in the Pentagon. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor, the Air Medal with three clusters, the Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal with two clusters.

After retiring Guy became involved in his community as a Director at the Spokane Lilac Festival Organization and was Festival President in 1987. In 1988 Guy joined the board of directors of Rockwood Manor and served as Board Chair. Under Guy’s leadership, the expansion on the South Hill campus of the 165-unit Rockwood Forest Estates neighborhood was completed. Guy was instrumental in the formation of the Rockwood Residents’ Foundation, became a member of the founding Board in 1990 and served on the Board for many years. He also spent many fun days with family and friends at his favorite place in the world, his cabin on Coeur d’Alene Lake.

He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Shirley, and wife Sylvia. He is survived by three children Virginia, Thomas, and Guy, 9 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

There will be a private ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery on March 26th for immediate family. There will also be a celebration of his life at the Rockwood Manor event center at 2903 E. 25th Ave on March 26th at 1:30 pm. If attending the celebration, look for event parking signs at Rockwood Manor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation. Their programs support those who sacrifice to defend our country: active duty, veterans, first responders, and their loved ones.

https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/give/