PERLING, David

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Wednesday, January 15, 2003 David Perling passed away January 8, 2003. He was 61 years old. He was born on January 25, 1941 to Harvey and Viola (Crawford) Perling in International Falls, Minn. He spent most of his childhood in Burlington, Iowa until August of 1956 when he was in a hayride accident and became a quadriplegic. He was in a wheelchair for over 46 years and accessibility issues were a lifetime challenge. David graduated from high school in 1959. He att-ended the University of Minn-esota but because of weather conditions and accessibility problems he and his parents moved to Arizona and he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona at Tucson in 1966. David worked at several jobs in the Phoenix area before beginning a partnership with Joe Baldassano to form two companies: Hybrid Design Associates and The Surface Mount Company both in Tempe, Az. Accessibility issues still remained a priority for David and he helped establish a local branch of JAF Ministries (Joni Eareckson-Tada and Friends) which helps churches reach out to people with disabilities and improve physical and social barriers, spiritual values and distribute wheelchairs to those in need throughout the world. He became part of Wheelchair Bowlers Inc. and helped Tony Alagna of Mesa, Az. put on a Wheelchair Bowling Tournament for six years, inviting individuals from the Wheelchair pro-Bowling Association, the Women's pro-Bowling Association and the Senior Men's pro-Bowling Association to make up teams. The final game last fall was televised on ESPN-2. He was on the Board of Directors at Word of Grace Church and Phoenix Christian Counseling Center. David is survived by his wife Marlene. They were married for thirty years. They had no children. He is also survived by his brother The Reverend R. John Perling of Beverly Hills, Ca., and three nephews and two nieces. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, January 16, 2003 at Carr-Tenney Mortuary, 2621 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, Az. from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Word of Grace, 655 E. University Drive, Mesa, Arizona at 10:00 a.m Friday. Burial following the services at Valley of the Sun Cemetery, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Blvd. Chandler, Az. Memorial contributions may be made to: JAF Ministries, Box 26367, Tempe, Az., 85285. Courtesy of Pat Wilson.