Evaristo Perez

Our father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, Evaristo Perez, entered eternal rest August 21, 2021 in his home after a brief illness. A native of Escobares, Texas, he delighted in telling stories about growing up in Starr County and his experiences of living and working in the Rio Grande Valley in his youth. He never lost his affection for the place of birth, his family and the people he grew up with during the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Although he never went past the third grade, Evaristo learned at an early age the value of hard work beginning on the land owned by his Father, as a teenage migrant worker traveling the United States, and in road construction as a laborer and heavy equipment operator. Evaristo passed this strong work ethic to his children, who remember the long hours he worked, rising before 5:00 a.m. and returning home often as it was getting dark. He was proud of his ability to provide for his wife and children, and he was proud of the work he did in road construction, especially the many miles of roads, airports, and other projects he was a part of during his life.

Evaristo married Maria Elena De La Cruz on May 30, 1954 in Roma, Texas. Thereafter, they left the Rio Grande Valley and travelled throughout Texas and the Southwest while he worked various jobs in road construction where he and his wife made many special friends, who he always remembered. They eventually settled in San Antonio where Evaristo continued working as a heavy machine operator with H. B. Zachry construction. For a brief time, he and a partner owned and operated Trevino and Perez Paving Company, but he returned to H B Zachry where he eventually retired after 35 years of working in road construction throughout Texas. After retirement, he and his wife travelled and spent time with family.

While not working, Evaristo enjoyed his yard and being outdoors. For many years, he was able to handle house and car repairs on his own. He always preferred being outdoors than being inside the house. He still was cutting the grass a few days before his illness on a riding lawnmower that became his mode of transportation after he could no longer drive a car. Evaristo and Mary raised three children and were in the lives of several grandchildren. All of us have many fond memories of Evaristo, especially the sense of humor that he never lost. He loved to tell a story and he loved to make us laugh even if it meant making fun of himself. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends but will be reunited with his wife, and so many friends and family he loved and always remembered even after they left before him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maria Elena Perez, his parents, Aguedo and Gabriela Perez, and additional family, including brothers and sisters. He is survived by three children, Sergio Perez, Mario Perez, and Iris Santellan (Alfred) and many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and other loving relatives, who he touched in many ways. For those of us who knew and loved him, he would not want us to mourn his loss, but instead to celebrate his life.