Perry Lindsey, 81; Flier, First Black Principal in Long Beach Schools

Perry W. Lindsey, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II and the first African American to hold the position of principal in the Long Beach Unified School District, has died. He was 81.

Lindsey, who was also the first black person to gain an administrative position in what is now the third-largest school district in the state, died of colon cancer Jan. 30 at his home in Long Beach.

Born in New Albany, Ind., Lindsey enrolled at Indiana State Teachers College, but his education was interrupted by World War II. Drafted into the U.S. Army Air Forces, he graduated from navigator’s school as a second lieutenant and later graduated from bombardier’s school. He graduated from pilot training school at Tuskegee Air Force Base in Alabama in August 1945.

He earned his commercial pilot’s license after the war but could find no work because at that time airlines were not hiring blacks for such jobs. He also returned to the teachers college, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.

He turned to teaching, working in the public schools in Kansas City, Mo., while pursuing his master’s degree at the University of Missouri. He also served as a principal at an elementary school in Kansas City.

His flying days were not over, however. In 1951, he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, flying 26 combat missions in the integrated U.S. Air Force.

After the war, he returned briefly to Kansas City before moving to Southern California in 1953 for a teaching post in Long Beach. He taught in the district from 1953 to 1965 and worked on his doctorate at USC.

In 1965, his career shifted from the classroom to administrative work as the district’s assistant supervisor of compensatory education.

Four years later, he made history in Long Beach as the district’s first black principal when he was assigned to head College Intermediate School. Two years later, he became principal of the district’s Whittier Elementary School, a post he held until 1975.

From 1975 until his retirement in 1987, Lindsey served as director of compensatory education for the district.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn; daughters Deborah Lindsey Jones and Yvette Andersen; a son, Perry Allan Lindsey; four grandchildren; one brother and three sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 16 at the Little Brown Church, 600 E. 5th St., Long Beach.

Memorial donations in Lindsey’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society of Long Beach, 936 Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813.