Posted on 09/10/2025

---

David Wilson Perry of Davis, CA peacefully left his earthly home on September 1, 2025 following a brief battle with cancer. David was 81 years old. David was born November 29, 1943 in Fort Worth, TX to Woodrow Wilson and Bonnie Long Perry. Prior to availability of the Salk vaccine, David was stricken with polio at age 5 and recovered after wearing leg braces for a time. He went on to play varsity football for the Tascosa Rebels in Amarillo. Following his graduation from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, David pointed his shiny, new blue Ford Fairlane westward headed to the University of California at Davis. The year was 1966, a time of anti-war protests and Reagan's election as governor, with the Summer of Love only one year away on the horizon. Throughout his life, wild tales of adventure from those early Cali days would serve to entertain the Perry family. While studying toward a graduate degree in Psychology, David worked as a teaching assistant and was the experimenter on a project in the Charles Tart lab designed to test whether dream content could be influenced through post-hypnotic suggestion. David loved the Davis vibe and never left for the next 59 years except for occasional visits with family and friends. He was employed for 44 years by The Davis Enterprise in newspaper distribution and as fleet manager. Those who enjoyed their morning print editions back in the day will appreciate knowing that David took great pride in never having called in sick a single time. He delighted in the camaraderie around the paper office. After retirement in 2014, David relished long daily walks, following politics and world affairs, watching PBS documentaries, and streaming movies and tv series. Dave Wilson, as he was known, was gentle and kind, well-read, and forever concerned about global human rights and the well-being of his fellow man. Left to cherish his memory are brother Ted Perry and wife Gaynell of Bartlett, TN, and niece Meridith Perry of Baldwyn, MS. The family wishes to thank David's caregivers at Sutter Hospice and Happy Hearts Senior Care for their compassion and kindness during his final days. A special thanks goes to Jon Li, a faithful friend whose daily visits kept him engaged through the end. In keeping with David's wishes, no public service is planned. For those inclined, one way of honoring his spirit is through donations to Public Television.