Raul Manuel Perez

Raul Manuel Perez, a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at the age of 69 surrounded by his family and friends. He was born to Simon and Elvira (Vargas) Perez and attended Edison High School and Fresno City College, where he was a decorated track athlete. Raul served in combat during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968, with the United States Marine Corp., and was awarded a Purple Heart. He was employed by Fresno Area Express for nearly 20 years. Later in life he was involved in raising scholarship monies for high school students. He also became an advocate for Veteran Benefits. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Lydia Marie; his parents; his grandparents, Francisco and Librada Gomez; his brother, Salvador Vargas; and his in-laws, Juvenal and Enedina Vidales. Raul is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 40 years, Elizabeth; his loving sons, Greg and his wife Libby, Phillip and his wife Jennifer, Eric and his wife Brittania and Nicholas and his partner Belinda all of Fresno; his grandchildren, Nicholas, Micayla, Jace, Ava, Lexi and Paige, his brothers Adolph, Joe and Gilbert; his sisters, Jenny, Esther, Frances, Susie, Christina and their families; his uncle, Alfredo Flores; and his Vidales in-laws. Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns and Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Recitation of the Holy Rosary and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church on Friday, April 28, 2017, 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Washington Colony Cemetery.