Donald "Gus" Lynn Perrin

On the morning of Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the brittle thread that had bound Donald L. (Gus) Perrin to this earth for the last 89 years was severed and thus his spirit was launched into eternity. 

Born on the westside of Indianapolis on April 30th, 1935, to Lynn E. & Ruth Perrin, a few months later his parents moved the young family to 6555 E. 42nd Street, in what was then a rural area of northeast Indianapolis bordering the city of Lawrence. Growing up in what was the Perrin homestead, Gus came of age and attended Lawrence schools from elementary school to graduation, class of 1953, along the way lettering in basketball for the Bears. After graduation day, on Friday June 5th of 1953, the following Monday, June 8th he reported for work at the Indiana Bell Telephone Co. for lineman apprenticeship training and embarked on a career that would span 37 years, in 1971 he left the craft and became a supervisor, Gus was also honored to be chosen to participate in the ranks of the AT&T Telephone Pioneers of America, and worked in management until accepting an early retirement offer in 1990. In 1954, Gus was wed to Patricia Hinkley at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. and also in the same year, in the patriotic spirit inculcated in his generation, Gus enlisted in the Indiana National Guard, serving in the 38th Infantry Div. “Cyclone Yanks”, Signal Corps, attaining the rank of Staff Sgt. by the time of his discharge in 1962. 

In 1963, Gus was blessed to enter the ranks of fatherhood with the arrival of son, Greg and then again in 1965 with the birth of daughter Carol. 

1977 began another chapter in Gus’s life, marrying Donna Smith of Indianapolis, along with a move to a new home in the Glen Oaks addition, Cumberland, across the line in Hancock Co. After retirement from Indiana Bell in 1990, came a long happy time for Gus, travel, cruises, attending many sporting events, golf games, activities with friends and family, enjoying life to the fullest. 

At an early age, Gus developed a love of stick & ball games, basketball, football, baseball, and attending 44 consecutive Indy 500’s. 2017 being the last one, many Hoosier Hundred’s, IndyCar races at Michigan & Kentucky, NASCAR races at Charlotte and various USAC sprint & midget & stock car races through the years, with AJ Foyt being his favorite driver. The year 1999 highlights included building a new house in Chandler, AZ which brought 20 years of being a snowbird, and many wonderful times, golf games, and going to restaurants and parties spent with their snowbird friends creating many wonderful memories for him & Donna through the 20 years of having their Arizona winter home . Gus & Donna also enjoyed over 20 years as residents of New Palestine, IN until relocating to Mt. Comfort in 2024. 

Gus was raised as a Master Mason in 1959 at the Englewood Lodge, F & AM 715, and went on to become a 32nd degree Mason joining the Scottish Rite and the Murat Shrine in 1978. Gus was meticulous in keeping up his properties and automobiles in such a manner that anyone who knew him could only describe as immaculate . Gus was a long time member of the E. 38th St. Christian Church and then later the E. 91st St. Christian Church for many years. To family and friends, Gus was always generous and willing to lend a hand when needed, and never sat idle one day from his retirement until the last couple years when his health began to deteriorate, and he was a fierce and determined fighter to the end, trying not to let his health difficulties take their toll on him. Gus is survived by his wife of 47 years, Donna of Mt. Comfort, sister, Phyllis Ann Davisson of New Palestine, son Greg of Ft. Mohave AZ, daughter Carol Monroe (Charles) of Indianapolis, grandson Cory Monroe, Indianapolis and many cousins, nieces and nephews, along with in-laws across the Indianapolis metropolitan area, Hendricks, Boone, Hancock and Tippecanoe counties and even a brother in law in Colorado. 

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Flanner Buchanan - Washington Park East Funeral Center, located at 10722 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46229.

A brief Mason Service will follow at 2:00 PM inside Flanner Buchanan - Washington Park East Funeral Center.

A private entombment will be held at Washington Park East Funeral Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in memory of Gus be made to the Alzheimer's Assocation by clicking here.