Eliseo "Picky" A. Perez Jr.

Eliseo Ayala Perez Jr., beloved husband, father, Popo, brother, and cherished friend, entered the loving arms of Our Lord on July 31, 2025. A proud San Antonio native, Eliseo was born on September 16, 1951, to Adela Ayala and Eliseo Leal Perez Sr. Eliseo’s life was a melody—full of rhythm, laughter, kindness, and love.

Eliseo’s passion for music began in junior high, where he played the saxophone and eventually joined the marching band at Sidney Lanier High School, graduating in 1970. His love for the instrument shaped much of his life, leading him to perform as an extraordinary saxophone player and conga player, with a music career that spanned decades. Over the years, he played alongside numerous musicians, many of whom went on to become prominent names in the Tejano music industry. He performed with bands like The Sonics, Feto Rojas & The Sensations, Rudy T and the Reno Bobs, The Entertainers, The Royal Jesters, and the George Rivas Band. Eliseo went on to co-found The River City Band, which successfully lasted over 30 years. Always supportive, Eliseo encouraged fellow musicians to pursue their dreams and grow within the industry, often bringing energy and joy to every performance.

Eliseo’s talents extended far beyond music. He was a natural jokester and a kid at heart, known for his warmth, humor, and ability to connect with anyone he met. He deeply loved his wife his high school sweetheart and was, by all accounts, the best dad in the world to his two adult children. His proudest role in life was being a father and “Popo”. Whether dancing to music, sharing advice, or simply making them laugh, his family always knew they came first.

A lifelong sports fan, Eliseo rooted for the New York Yankees, San Antonio Spurs, and the Dallas Cowboys. He loved to BBQ, but his famous crispy dogs—affectionately called “Perros calientes” to make his kids and grandkids laugh—were truly unmatched. He also brought his big heart to his work at a retirement home, where he made it a point to befriend residents and bring smiles to their days.

Beyond his personal passions, Eliseo gave back to his community. He spent countless hours dedicated to the Cesar E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundation, working alongside his cousin, Jaime P. Martinez, to organize and rally for the Annual Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice, raising money for college scholarships for local youth. He also gave back to families through the annual “Jaime P. Martinez Thanksgiving in the Barrio” in San Antonio’s inner-city West Side. In all he did, Eliseo lived to encourage the youth of our community and to support his gente.

He will be reunited in heaven with his parents, Adela “Ayala” Perez and Eliseo Leal Perez Sr., and siblings, Yolanda Gonzales and Maria Ellena Arcos. And his loyal dog “best friend” Scooby.

His legacy will be to live on in his loving wife of 51 years, Elia A. Perez; adult children, Adela P. Cardenas (Robert) and Ross Garza (Monica). Grandchildren, Victoria Lee Zamora, Elijah Ross Garza, Elyssa Belen “MiMi” Garza, and Evan Eloy Garza; siblings, Mario “Beto” Perez, Gloria Garza, Juanita Andrade, and Adelina Vasquez; and numerous extended family and friends, and the countless lives he touched.