John S Perales Jr.

US Army veteran John S. Perales, 96, went to be with our Lord on April 16. He is preceded in death by his parents, Juan and Conception Perales; and all his siblings Ernest (Anne Marie), Lydia Rodriguez (Alex), Aurora Miles-Harris (Larry Miles and Lafe Harris), Alfonso (partner Elisa Teveni), Robert Perales (surviving wife Anamaria), Infant siblings Consuelo, Aurora, and Alfredo and half-brothers Juan G. Perales (Maria Perez) and Roberto G. Perales (Rosa Maria Pena).

He is survived by his sister-in-law Anamaria, along with numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and great-grand-nieces and nephew and their families.

In 1944, John was 18 and drafted into the US Army from Fox Tech high school. One of the most treasured family portraits was taken with John in his Army uniform before leaving for military service.

John served with the Army’s 381st Military Police Battalion during WWII from Feb 1944-June 1946, and was part of Operation Dragon, Patton’s Battle of the Bulge surge of soldiers through Southern France and into Germany. Late in life, he told the story of stepping on a land mine that ended harmlessly in a puff of smoke thanks to the wet snow, sparing his life. He obtained the combat infantryman badge, European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Army Occupation Ribbon (Germany), Victory Ribbon and 3 Overseas Service Bars having served in Rhineland Central Europe. During his service, he sent his service allotment income home to his mother.

After his service, John obtained his GED from San Antonio Vocational and Technical High School in Nov 1946 and moved to Chicago, where he held a variety of jobs, from making switchboards at Western Electric to working at his cousins Al’s grocery store. His most prized memories included helping his father purchase his 1955 Chevy Truck and being able to buy shoes for his mother.

On a more personal note, John had a love of movie actors and music artists. He talked about meeting Don Ameche, Ron Howard, shaking hands with Roy Rogers, and sitting at a shoeshine chair next to Gary Cooper. He had a flawless memory for actors and movies, and he loved music from the Big Band era. If you gave him a minute, John would recount the plot of Stalag 17, or if you were lucky, you would watch April Love together or hear his rendition of I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

His greatest love was to be surrounded by family, especially his baby sister Aurora and his nieces and nephews who would indulge him with trips to Brackenridge Park and games of Gin Rummy. He was a loving, gentle giant of a man, who will be missed.

The Perales Family wants to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Audie Murphy VA Hospital doctors, nurses and staff along with the House of Wisdom family for their care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament at 227 Keller Street, San Antonio, TX 78204

Services will be held at Trevino Funeral Home, 226 Cupples Road, San Antonio Texas, 78237. Visitation will be Friday, April 29 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. On Saturday morning, April 30, the rosary will begin at 9:00 AM, Prayer Service at 10:00, and interment will follow at San Fernando Cemetery II, 746 Castroville Rd. San Antonio, TX 78237. Later that evening, John Perales will be remembered in prayer at 5:00 PM Mass St John Berchmans Catholic Church, 1147 Cupples Road, San Antonio, TX 78226.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangelcupples.com for the Perales family.