Daniel Leonard Pero

Dan Leonard Pero, a husband, father, coach, teacher, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away on July 19, 2024 at his home in Eagle, ID with his daughters by his side.

Dan was born on March 21, 1933 in Laramie, Wyoming to Leonard Jack and Lois Pero.  When he was in the 8th grade he moved to Fruitland, ID to live with his grandparents Lewis and Edna Walker on the farm.  He graduated from Fruitland High School in 1950 and did the Post Graduate Program in Kellogg, ID in 1951.  Dan then went off to college to get his teaching degree.  He Graduated from College of Idaho (1961) with a BA, University of Idaho (1966) with his Masters in Natural Science, Rogue River Community College (1970) with an Emergency Medical Technician degree, Boise State University (1974) with a Driver’s Education certificate and then he went back to College of Idaho (1975) to obtain his Masters in Administration.

On November 12, 1955 he married Patricia Hayes.  In the first ten years of marriage, they welcomed five children Diana, Richard, Danielle, David, and Denise.  They moved to Prospect, OR in 1963 where Dan started teaching at Prospect High School. He taught many subjects at the high school, but his true passion was coaching football and basketball.  During their time in Prospect, they made so many memories and made several friends that became family. 

In 1973, they made their journey to Middleton, ID where Dan took the biology teaching and football coaching position at the high school.  In 1975, he became the Principal of Middleton High.  Middleton was their home for 47 years where they raised their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and made lifelong memories. 

Dan was offered the principal position at New Plymouth Junior-Senior High School in 1981.  Not only was he the principal but he was also the Athletic Director, teacher, mentor and friend to everyone.  He retired from New Plymouth in 1994.  He then went onto become a crop insurance adjuster for Rain & Hail till he fully retired in 2015. 

Dan is proceeded in death by his wife Patricia, son Richard, his parents, grandparents, brothers Bill Walker and Larry Pero, sister in-law Geraldine Evans and grandson Mitchell Pero.

He is survived by daughters Diana (Ken) Maurer, Danielle (Brett) Gould, Denise (Jamison) Chochrek, son David Pero. His 18 grandkids, 34 great grandkids, and two great-great grandkids. Also, survived by him are his half siblings Judy, Kathy, Sharon, Jim and John all of Ashland, Wisconsin.  His sister in-law Susan Dolphus, sister in-law Ruth Walker and several nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of Dan’s life will be on September 7, 2024 at 2pm at the home of Brett and Danielle Gould (27317 Middleton Rd., Middleton)