Arthur Roy Perez, 73, was born on April 4, 1953, in Los Angeles, California, and passed away on September 16, 2026. He made his home in Pico Rivera, California, where he built a life centered around family, teaching, friendship, and the people he cared about.
Arthur spent more than three decades as a teacher, with most of those years at Dexter Middle School in Whittier. Teaching was more than simply a career for him. Year after year, he showed up for his students with dedication, patience, and a strong sense of responsibility. Over the course of his career, he touched the lives of countless young people and left behind a legacy that extended far beyond the classroom.
But to his family, Arthur was simply Dad and Grandpa, and those were the roles that meant the most.
Arthur loved his family deeply. He was a devoted father and an especially proud and loving grandfather. His grandchildren, Chandler, Dylan, Tokla, Harper, Grayson, and Delilah, brought so much meaning to his life. He loved them in his own unmistakable way, and the memories they made with their grandpa will remain with them always.
Arthur could sometimes come across as a little gruff, but anyone who truly knew him knew what was underneath that exterior. He had an incredibly generous heart. He was dependable, loyal, and always willing to help the people he cared about. He was the kind of man who really would give you the shirt off his back.
He was also a wonderful neighbor. Arthur cared about the people around him and was always willing to lend a hand. Over the years, neighbors became friends, and those friendships became an important part of his life. His familiar presence will be deeply missed in the neighborhood he called home.
And then there was Arthur’s sense of humor. He was sarcastic, quick-witted, and could make people laugh with a perfectly timed comment or look. Those who knew him can probably still hear some of those remarks in their minds. That humor—and the personality behind it—is something his family and friends will miss tremendously.
Arthur is survived by his daughters, Jessica Chhem and Cassandra Salyer; his brother, Ron Perez; his sisters, Lynda Perez and Deborah Gil; and his beloved grandchildren, Chandler, Dylan, Tokla, Harper, Grayson, and Delilah.
There are so many different ways Arthur will be remembered: as a teacher who dedicated decades of his life to his students, as a wonderful neighbor and loyal friend, as a brother, and as a man with a generous heart and an unforgettable sense of humor.
But most of all, he will be remembered as Dad and Grandpa.
His family will miss his voice, his humor, his sarcasm, his generosity, and simply knowing that he was there. The space he leaves behind cannot be filled, but the memories, laughter, lessons, and love he gave us will always remain.
Arthur was deeply loved, and he will be deeply missed.
