Donald E. Perry Sr.

Donald Eric Perry Sr., age 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Born on March 13, 1940, in Columbia, South Carolina, Don was the son of the late Carl and Marion S. Perry. He attended Lake City High School and, after moving to Myrtle Beach, graduated during his senior year from Myrtle Beach High School. He cherished and maintained lifelong friendships with the Lake City Class of 1959 until his passing.

Don continued his education at Mars Hill University, where he proudly competed as a member of the university’s track team. He later served his country as a lieutenant in the Army National Guard.

A respected and accomplished businessman, Don was President and Co-Owner of Lakewood Camping Resort in Myrtle Beach. His career in campground development and operations spanned the East Coast, where he helped start and manage multiple parks from Beaufort, South Carolina, to Orlando, Florida. He also served for many years on the board of Santee Cooper.

Among his many endeavors, Don served as President of the Beaufort Jaycees and as the 16th Commodore of the Beaufort Water Festival. Alongside his family, he helped establish and operate The Lighthouse Amusement Park—where he famously wrestled a few alligators. Don found great joy working the fields of his farm, a place where family and friends gathered often to share time, laughter, and hard work together. In earlier years, he also enjoyed piloting his airplanes, a passion he shared with his beloved wife. An avid outdoorsman, Don embraced life fully and enthusiastically.

Don was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach. He and his late wife, Angela, shared a deep commitment to missions both locally and around the world. He was known for faithfully sharing insights from his daily devotions with family and friends, offering encouragement wherever he went.

He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-nine years, Angela B. Perry, and his brother, Phillip E. Perry.

Don is survived by his sons, Donald Eric Perry II and Paul Carlton Perry Sr. and his wife Joy; his sisters, Barbara Perry Benton and Shannon Perry Gomer; and his grandchildren, Paul Carlton Perry Jr. and wife Devin, Donald Eric Perry III and wife Kayla, Brennan Perry Gerhart and husband Chris, and Christian Perry McCann and husband Pat. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Nathan Frederick Gerhart, William Alexander Gerhart, Weston James Gerhart, Lillian Lee Perry, Paul “PC” Carlton Perry III, Cooper Warren Perry, Maxwell James Perry, Brewer Benton Perry, Eleanor Jane McCann, Lacey Joy Perry, Mary Joy Gerhart, and Jack Conner McCann.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Friday, January 23, at McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Conway, South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Partner 135 Ministries at https://www.partner135.org/give

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