Leo graduated from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree. As soon as he moved to Florida from Raleigh, North Carolina, Leo got hired as an electrical engineer at Jacobs, and spent 26 loyal years there, eventually earning a Senior title at the company. He pursued his passion for music by singing in the Parish Choir at Holy Family Catholic Church and playing the trombone and french horn in the Central Florida Community Arts Symphony Orchestra. He spent most of his free time practicing his instruments, watching basketball games, playing computer games, and spending time with his family and pets.
Leo married Jennifer Jenkins-Perez on October 30, 2004, and with her he was able to fulfill one of his dreams of having a family. Through trials and tribulations, his first child Cece was born in 2006, and his second Gryphon was born in 2009. These three people became the hallmarks of his life, along with the many pets that Jenni’s love for animals brought into their home.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jenni in 2025, his father Leodegario Perez in 2022, and his mother Gilda Perez in 2021. He is survived by his children, Cece Perez and Gryphon Perez; sister, Mae Rodriguez in Clermont, FL; nephew, Jonathan Fowler; niece, Angela Fowler-Simpson, and grandniece, Alywin Simpson. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Allison Jenkins-Moore (David) in Ypsilanti, MI; brother-in-law, Jason Jenkins (Chaitanya) in Winter Garden, FL; and stepmother-in-law, Linda Molnar-Jenkins in Canton, MI.
A memorial service will be held from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM on August 29, 2026, at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 428 E. Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787.
