Guadalupe Valentin Perez

Guadalupe Valentin Perez, age 72, of Santa Ana, California passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Guadalupe was born October 7, 1949 in Mexico City, Mexico to Valentin and Dolores (Lolita) Perez. He played American football in college in Mexico and studied engineering. He was married to Martha Rosa Lucero in 1974. He had a total of three children: Marco, Yara and Hepzibah. He moved to California in 1980 where he worked as an aerospace engineer. He later co-owned and managed two successful dental offices. He retired in his early 60s and dedicated the rest of his time to art and tennis.

Guadalupe, known by many of his beloved friends and family as "Val", had a sensational sense of humor. He was often the center of attention at parties with his jokes and funny antics, which often embarrassed his children. Although he was successful as an engineer and a dental office manager, his true passion was art. He was never formally trained, but had a natural talent for art ranging from abstract to naturalistic. He was facile with multiple modalities, including paint, clay, marble and photography. He owned an art studio where he dedicated much of his later life to this passion. He was athletic throughout his life, participating in American football in college and tennis in his later life. He was beloved in the tennis community at the Los Cab Sports Village where he made many of his closest friends. One of the highlights of his life was traveling to Europe with his coach to watch professional tennis matches.

He sadly suffered a stroke a few years after retirement and later developed metastatic prostate cancer.

He passed in peace in the company of his long-standing caretaker Maria.

He is survived by his three children, Marco Perez, Yara Perez and Hepzibah Dahl, and grandchildren Arabel Perez and Evey Perez as well as his former spouse Martha Lucero. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westminstermemorial.net for the Perez family.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider a donation under his name to the Earthen Vessels Kids tutoring program: https://www.evkids.org/get-involved-2/ways-to-give/donate-now.html