Edward J. De Persio, MD

On an August day in Philadelphia, PA, two baby boys were born, identical twins. One was named Gerard and one was named Edward. Their parents were Genevieve (Kellerman) and John D. De Persio, MD. When the twins were 6 years. old, their dad was drafted to establish a hospital in a small, newly created city, West of Knoxville, TN, called Oak Ridge, TN. Oak Ridge was a top secret site for the Manhattan Project during World War II. The city was built to develop the world’s first atomic weapons. That is when Edward developed an interest in radiation, which led to his medical specialty of radiation oncology. While in Oak Ridge, Edward and Gerard were joined by a sister, Janet, and a younger brother, Richard. After graduation from Oak Ridge High School, he graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in physics, and then went on to the University of Tennessee in Memphis for medical school. While in medical school, he was drafted by the Navy during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Okinawa and vividly remembered the wounded soldiers being transported from the Tet Offensive. After his service in the Navy, he completed his internship and residency in both Houston and Dallas. He was on the staff of the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City when he met his wife, Pamela, who was working in the hospital as a data manager for cancer patients. They married on January 1, 1978 and immediately moved to Burlington, Vermont, for Edward to work in a professor position at the University of Vermont. Their stay there was less than a year as they relocated to UTMB in Galveston, Texas for three years. In 1981 Edward was told by a colleague about a position opening up at the Wenatchee Valley Clinic for a board certified radiation oncologist. A successful interview followed and Edward was hired as the first board certified radiation oncologist at the Wenatchee Valley Clinic. It was the best job he ever had!! Edward began work on November 1, 1981 and retired in December 2004. Edward enjoyed photography, was an excellent artist, and played a fine classical guitar. Using his artistic talents, he would draw for his patients their cancer tumors so they could better understand their disease and treatment. Edward is survived by his wife, Pamela, (married for 47 years), son David, and daughter and son-in-law Danielle & Brian Bailey who blessed him with three of the most fantastic granddaughters, Kenzie, Halle, and Kylar. He is also survived by his younger brother Richard. Edward was preceded in death by his parents, twin brother, Gerard, younger sister, Janet, and son Eric J. De Persio. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses on the 5th floor of Central Washington Hospital for their excellent care as well as the Hospice nurses for their valuable care and attention to detail. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Eric J. De Persio Scholarship Fund (for high school seniors) at the Community Foundation of NCW. www.cfncw.org There will be a public viewing on March 12 from 2-6 pm, at the Chapel of the Valley, 378 Eastmont, East Wenatchee. The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 15, 1:00 pm at Saddlerock EPC, 1400 S. Miller. Wenatchee. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Edward J. De Persio, MD

August 24, 1938 - March 5, 2025