Valentino was born on February 14, 1934 to Alejandro and Francisca Perez in San Antonio, Texas. As a young man, Val wanted to become a Marine and serve his country. At the age of 16, his mother gave him permission to enlist in the National Guard. Later he transferred into the Marine Corp serving in the Korean War and was quickly promoted to Sgt. While serving Val earned several medals including: The good conduct medal, The National Defense Service Medal, The Korean Service Medal, & United Nation Service Medal.
After his enlistment, Val returned home to San Antonio. He met and married the love of his life Alicia Martinez. Together they had seven beautiful children. Val worked for the Department of Defense with the Defense Mapping Agency where he served as team leader, trainer, and operations supervisor. During his working career, Valentino also opened his own business, Perez Molino and Grocery, where he sold barbacoa, tortillas, and other groceries. He enlisted his children to help run it, which lead to the success of the business for years and instilled a strong work ethic amongst his children. Val would also do this with his volunteer work with the church.
Valentino was the rock to his family, friends, and neighbors. His wisdom was beyond his years. Val loved to share his passions with his children and grandchildren including attending local air shows, watching planes come and go, trains and of course his passion for the military. We are so lucky we can see this through the thousands of pictures he took though out the years. He always tried to capture his family, nature, and the world through his eyes with his passion of photography.
After retirement, Val took pride in his home and his manicured lawn. He would spend hours outside in his yard or helping his neighbors with theirs when he wasn’t spending his time caring for his grandchildren or dancing in the living room with his wife Alice. Val loved listening to his favorite music including Eydie Gorme or Los Panchos and in his later years and it would move him to tears reminiscing of his wife after her passing.
In the end, Valentino was a man of resolve and determination, respect for himself, protector, provider of his family, and above all else he loved, loved, loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The void of his passing will be felt by all, but we draw peace knowing he is at rest and he is with our family that is awaiting us all in heaven.
He is survived by his daughter Diana Perez, daughter Linda Mundon and her husband Michael, daughter Silvia Morales and her husband David, son David Perez and his wife Stacy, son Danny Perez and his wife Teresa, son Sam Perez and his wife Wendy, daughter Lillia Castillo and her husband Victor, along with 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 29, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. On Tuesday, October 30, 2018 the Chapel Service will begin at 11:00 a.m., with interment to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.
