Bert Ricky Peros

God reached down his loving arms and peacefully surrounded Bert Ricky Peros, 61, of Ridgeview, WV, as he went home to be with our Lord on June 3, 2013. Rick had experienced more than 20 years of chronic heart and kidney disease and he had spent the last two years battling leukemia.
Rick will not be remembered for his illness, but for his moral values, character, and Christian living , at home and in the community. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and Christian who attended the Ashford Church of God Holiness. He always prayed for his fellow church members and those who were not saved, hoping that his life would lead them to the Lord. He loved to read his Bible while swinging on his front porch. One of the highlights of his days of illness was when letters came in the mail from his friends, cards from his sister, and especially the narratives and descriptions of church services that he was physically unable to attend (that sister-in-law Nancy sent to him regularly after each service.)
Rick proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as a cryptographic technician with the World Communications Agency, stationed at the White House and served during President Ford’s administration.
He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing with his close friend Mitch Woodrum for many years, and always declared that “Mitch carries me in the woods and out; he goes the pace I can go so I can enjoy the day.” Mitch patiently took him hunting even when Rick’s strength was gone. His old work buddy Stanley Lewis recently took him into the woods on a 4-wheeler to spend the day which really was uplifting prior to his recent hospitalization. Rick loved to garden and raised many of his own plants in his greenhouse, with tender care. He and Sue canned all summer from that beautiful garden he raised each year. He was so appreciative of assistance that his brothers-in-law gave when he was working on various projects: Carmel Barker with remodeling and Jim Turley with his lawn and other projects.
Rick wanted special thanks to be mentioned for Dr. Jack Kinder, his family physician who saved his life many times and whose quality care extended his life 30 years. Although it is impossible to name everyone, the family would like to thank the many specialists and nurses and staff of the David Lee Cancer Center, CAMC-Memorial 5 South, and SICU for the quality care he and the family received during his extended illness. Dr. Steven McCormick, Dr. Suzanne Cole, Dr. Rahman, Dr. Haddy, Dr. Ridenour and Partners and their staff are sincerely appreciated by the family.
Rick was preceded in death by his father, Bert and mother Pauline; brother, Bert, Jr.; and grandmother, Julia Peros.
Surviving and cherishing precious memories are his wife of 36 years, Donna Sue; and his daughters and sons-in-law, whom he loved: Jennifer (Daniel) Gygax of Vallejo, CA and Dr. Kristen (Paul) Helmick of South Charleston, WV. He had five grandchildren, the pride of his life: Daniel Edison and Lily Helmick; and Mike, Jacqueline, and Jessica Gygax. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret (Carmel) Barker, of Ashford, WV; brother, Eddie (Drema) Peros of Ripley, WV; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 5 at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, WV. Funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6 at the funeral home with the Rev. Randall Kinder and Dr. Darrell Prater officiating. Formal military rites will follow at the graveside, with burial at Boone Memorial Park, Madison, WV.
Because of Rick’s serious commitment for encouraging young people to educate themselves after high school and due to his sincere support for his church’s gratuity fund, the family recommends that in lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to contribute to assisting college students or those who would like to help individuals who have serious needs and are served by the church, to send donations to: Attn: Rick Peros Memorial Fund, Ashford Church of God Holiness, Ashford, WV 25009.
Rick summed up things quite well when he whispered to Susie, “We’ve had a good run; we’ve seen some good things; I love you.”