Ernest Genesis Pero Jr.

August 21, 1931 to February 21, 2012. Ernest was born in Newport, Arkansas. His parents Ernest G. Pero, Sr. and Mattie Pero moved to Santa Monica, California when Ernest was 4 years old. Pero served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1975, earning the Navy Achievement Medal in 1971. He was on Bikini Atoll for the atomic bomb test in 1958, re-enlisted for duty in Vietnam aboard the USS Constellation In 1967 and, in 1968, he assisted the survivors of the USS Pueblo incident, following their release from a North Korean prison. After serving our country for 20 years and earning numerous meritorious metals of achievements he retired as Senior Chief Personnelman.

The Pero family are long-time residents of Lemon Grove, California, and they own and operate a successful Real Estate and Property Management business in Lemon Grove, California since 1986.

Ernie had a passion for bowling, connected with those men who served and retired from the military known as Mills Parks Home Boys, and was a long- time Lemon Grove Rotarian. No one was ever a stranger to Ernie. With humor he touched many lives.

Ernie is survived by Doretha Pero, his wife of 30 years, son Ernest Genesis Pero III, and step-son Lawrence Dwayne Felton.

Visitation is Wednesday, February 29th from 4 – 7 p.m. at Conrad Lemon Grove Mortuary (7387 Broadway – Lemon Grove, CA 91945). Services will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at Word of Life Worship Center, 8691 Echo Drive, La Mesa, CA. 91941 at 10:00 am. Interment immediately following at Miramar National Cemetery with full military honors by the U.S. Navy.

Memorials suggested to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852. www.kidneyfund.org.