Joe F. Perez

His wife of 29 years, Socorro, preceded him in death, but he had loved her from the moment he first saw her. In addition to the loss of his wife, Joe was also preceded in death by his parents, --- Fidel Perez Sr. and Petra Fuentes, brothers, Willie, Severo and Fidel Jr.

He is survived by his sisters, Mary Flores and Margaret Cervantes; his sister-in-law, Gloria and spouse, Mayo Perry; daughters, Linda and son-in-law, Joe De La Cruz, Mary Perez, Rebecca Perez, Loree and son-in-law, Barry Bendel and Connie Perez; his 9 grandchildren, Robert Torres, Jodi Rodriguez and spouse Jason, Stephanie Baker, Mark Saenz and spouse Adriana, Scott Bendel-Trevino and Dustin Bendel and spouse Tiffany, Carson Bendel, Richard Dietrich and Ryan Dietrich; and 6 great-grandchildren, Analiese Sanchez, Bryanna Baker, Ethan Rodriguez, Kayley Baker, Sophia Saenz and Isabella Bendel. Plus numerous nephews and nieces.

Joe was a simple man that lived a simple life. He didn't care to travel or live extravagantly. He enjoyed his home on the west side, and lived there for many years. After his wife passed away, he raised his daughters on his own and made it a point to keep the Perez holiday traditions alive by making homemade tamales with his daughters and other family members every Christmas. He loved to barbeque chicken, using his unique barbeque sauce, the recipe for which was a closely held secret. What was no secret was that Perez family gatherings were known for delicious food and warm acceptance.

Born in San Antonio on March 24, 1924, Joe attended Fox Tech High School and San Antonio College. He then went on to serve his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII, and then in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict, receiving both the Korea Service Medal and the United Nations Korea Service Medal. A member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he worked at Kelly AFB for more than 40 years, retiring as a Materials Expediter Foreman. After holding several other positions at SeaWorld and Fiesta Texas, he opened his own neighborhood grocery store – J. Perez & Daughters.

But with all this, Joe still found time to indulge his other passions. He loved yard work and was a self-taught landscape designer. He loved gambling, and would travel to Kickapoo with his daughters, and sometimes even visit Atlantic City and Las Vegas. He loved music, especially big band music, and got to enjoy the Glenn Miller concert this year with his family. He also loved dancing to Mexican music, and would frequent Club Miami on Sundays. Whenever Joe went out on the town, he made sure he was dressed to the "nines". Sharp clothing had been his passion since he was a young man strolling the streets with his brothers, wearing "zoot suits".

Joe will always be remembered as a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, to whom family was the most important part of life. He was a selfless man, who gave his time freely to family, friends and country. He was a very generous man, who always had money in his wallet and good advice for anyone who needed it.

Visitation will be on Monday, August 22, 2016 at 5:00 pm, with a Rosary at 7:00 pm at Porter Loring on McCullough.

Funeral Mass on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 11:30 am, St. Agnes Catholic Church, 829 Ruiz St. Interment in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. His grandsons, Robert Torres, Mark Saenz, Scott Bendel-Trevino, Dustin Trevino-Bendel, Richard Dietrich and Ryan Dietrich will serve as pallbearers.