Jose Angel Perez

He was preceded in death by his parents Ramon Perez and Maria Garcia Perez. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Alicia Salazar Perez, daughters Grizelda Perez, Gisela Perez (Bruce Gilkes) and Joyce Monaco Chavez (Ralph Chavez). Grandchildren Anthony Barron (Maria), Christopher Barron (M.J.), Joseph Scardetta, Alicia Scardetta (Will Ellis) of Brooklyn, NY, Maria Scardetta, Amanda Chavez, Matthew Chavez, Geoffrey Gilkes and Marshall Gilkes (Orsi) of Beacon, NY and great grandchildren Ethan and Cora Gilkes. He is also survived by his older brother Eugenio Perez of Carrizo Springs, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law.

Born in Carrizo Springs, Texas after graduating high school, he moved to San Antonio in 1956 to attend Draughons Business School where he studied accounting. He later received a Bachelor of Business from then Southwest Texas State. In his early years after business school, he worked for Foremost Dairy and Sherwin Williams in their Accounting and Management Departments. He later went into the technology field and worked at Southwest Research Institute. His job with SWRI would take him across the United States, Canada and Dunkirk, France working in their nuclear plants. In 1983 he began his career with civil service working at Kelly AF Base in nondestructive testing. He retired in 1999 to begin yet another career – teaching. He taught English as a second language in Gaungzhou, China through the University of the Incarnate Word 2000 - 2001.

Mr. Perez went back to school and received yet another degree in Education from Southwest Texas State and became certified to teach Art at the high school level. Rather than start yet another career, he became a substitute teacher with North East ISD where he was always in high demand. He worked over 20 years as a substitute at Legacy of Educational Excellence (LEE) High School. He was loved and respected by the students and staff alike. During the summers he taught Art to children ages 6 – 12 years old through the city of San Antonio summer programs. Mr. Perez always found time to share his knowledge and talent with his students.

For Mr. Perez, family came first. He was a caring, devoted son, loving husband, doting father, and grandfather. He loved to read, learn about different cultures and to travel. He took his children traveling when they were young and continued that tradition with his grandchildren. A constant traveler, he visited 45 states and numerous foreign countries with his children and grandchildren. His passport was well stamped.

Mr. Perez was often asked to host trips to Europe, the Holy Land and China. Mr. Perez was fluent in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and German. He had studied Russian as well. Mr. Perez never could master the Chinese language but that did not stop him from traveling to that country more than 10 times. He was a citizen of the world, a true renaissance man.

He enjoyed photography, painting, music, theatre, and movies. He volunteered throughout his life with the church through Marriage Encounter, St. Vincent de Paul, and teaching ESL at his church. He volunteered for the Jubilee 2000 in Rome for the opening of the Holy Doors: helping control the crowds for the Midnight Mass and directing people around Rome; waiting for the arrival of the new Millennium; meeting people from all over the world was one of his greatest experiences of this life he would say.

Our loving husband, father, and grandfather is loved beyond description and will be deeply missed but always in our hearts. Until we meet again.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Church of the Blessed Sacrament (600 Oblate Dr. 78216) in San Antonio with a Rosary to follow at 7 p.m. with limited capacity. A Catholic Mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Carrizo Springs, Texas on Wednesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. Due to the current situation, the funeral mass will be a private family service. Interment to follow at Guadalupe No. 4 Cemetery, Carrizo Springs, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you please consider making a donation to the San Antonio Food Bank or your favorite charity in memory of Mr. Perez.