OBIT-Jose R. Perez

McALLEN/MISSION – Jose R. Perez, 73, passed away on Friday, Oct. 17, 2014, at his home in McAllen.

He was born on Jan. 23, 1941, at San Jose Ranch near San Isidro to Leonardo and Benita T. Perez. He served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966. He retired from the USDA with 37 years of service.

He had over 39 years of service as a volunteer fireman with the Mission Fire Dept. He was an active member and past commander of the Catholic War Veterans Post 1065 in Mission, past state commander and national officer of the Catholic War Veterans, active member and past commander of American Legion Post 93 in Mission and past Commander of the VFW Post 3895 in La Joya.

Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Maria H. Perez; children, Yvonne Gagnon, Leonard Perez, Liz Clanahan, Becky Perez, Robert Perez and David Rey Perez; stepchildren, Grace Moran, Henry Borjas, Isabell Borjas, Mary Helen Borjas, Mary Ann Borjas and Rafaela Mascorro; siblings, Hilda Caraveo, Ninfa Zamora, and Juan Angel Perez; and 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Victor Joe Perez; grandson, J. Michael Perez; and sister, Nina Gerbermann.

Visitation will be held on Monday, Oct. 20, from 1 to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. The funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial will follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.

Pallbearers will be Leonard Perez, David Perez, Joseph Fisher, Bobby Moran, Daniel Moran and Mike Gagnon. Honorary pallbearers will be Juan Angel Perez, Robert Perez, Octavio Perez, Joe Moran and Charlie Guzman.