It’s graduation season, which means friends and family of high school graduates are gathering around the country to celebrate their loved one’s achievements.
But for some families, like the Perry family, their celebrations look a little different.
Donald Perry Sr. accepted his late son’s diploma during what would have been Donald Perry Jr.’s graduation from Saginaw High School in Saginaw, Michigan.
“It’s a bitter but sweet thing, I hate that he’s not able to be here,” the boy’s father said.
Perry Jr. was killed in a car accident in November 2020. He was only 17 years old at the time of his death.
His parents said he had plans to attend college where he would study electrical engineering and real estate, but it all came to an end last year.
While Perry Jr.’s dreams came to a tragic end, his family and school family still wanted to remember the person they called “Mr. Perfect.”
During the school’s graduation ceremony, Perry Sr. accepted his son’s diploma.
I thank Saginaw High School for allowing me to do that it’s a privilege and an honor and I really appreciate it,” he said.
While other families celebrated the newest members of the Class of 2021 with parties and dinners, the Perry family made their way over to Forest Lawn Cemetery where Perry Jr. is buried.