Tributes

Jose Jesus Perez Sr., “Daddy Joe,” or “Chuca,” was born in San Antonio, Texas on February 5, 1945 and has reunited with his parents in heaven, Angelita Perez Gaona and Tomas Perez. On February 12, 2026 at the age of 81 tender years old, Daddy Joe peacefully passed away in his home continuously surrounded by his loving family and cherished friends in San Antonio, Texas leaving behind a silence in our hearts that only his laughter used to fill. A father whose love was profound and quiet, he built a life of lasting memories for his children; the first love his daughters ever knew. While he has moved on, his strength lives on in them, his life's lessons will be passed down through the grandchildren. Jose married his childhood sweetheart Cruz Jimenez on June 26, 1965, and together they shared 58 years of marriage. At just past 1 month of turning the mature young age of 21, Jose decided to proudly serve his country by joining the United States Army during the Vietnam War Era. He completed his basic training in El Paso, Texas. He was thrilled to be a part of the Fourth U.S. Army, Combat Arms Regimental Systems, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery. He received decoration commendation medals for Sharpshooter (M16 Rifle), National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, completed Battle Indoctrination, Code of Conduct Ethical Training, Military Justice Law & Non-Judicial Punishment. After his basic training he was stationed in Germany. During this time he traveled with Cruz throughout Europe to countries such as Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria and Spain. Jose then attended St. Phillip’s College broke barriers by becoming the very first in his family of 13 children to successfully obtain an Applied Science Associate’s degree. He devoted his talents, skills, and craft as a machinist in his civil service at Kelly Air Force Base, Lackland Air Force Base and Ft. Sam Houston military bases. His superiors always sought out his precise expertise in handmade intricate fabrication of aerospace, automotive and general industrial parts with high precision specifications. Daddy said he built up a reputation of becoming the go to guy “El mero mero” to get the job done right the first time! During his many years of civil service, Jose spent countless hours as an activist and leader in his community as a dedicated union steward, Vice President, and President of AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees) Local 3782. Jose was extremely knowledgeable of the Civil Service Reform Act like the back of his hand and represented many federal workers in their employment. We remember Daddy Joe even still assisting those who were treated unjust and unrightfully so, long after he was retired from the AFGE sitting outside in his yard on his homemade picnic tables advising, counseling providing pro bono legal representation to help secure better pay, improving working conditions, better benefits and being the voice to fight for fair treatment, rights, better jobs and guiding those who felt they had no voice. Over those years they built a home and raised a family. They were known for their celebrations/parties, countless Good Friday Fish Fry’s, family fun filled outdoor activities especially their loving kindness and generosity. Jose, his family and friends also loved to pass several summer vacations at the Texas Coast, traveled to Kickapoo Casino in Eagle Pass,Texas, Reno and Las Vegas, NV, vacationing in Lake Tahoe, CA as well as the Southwestern regions such as The Grand Canyon, New Mexico, Arizona. We remember that weeks or months could go by before we would see those same people once with so much fear and desperation in their eyes giving our father a huge embrace as if he were a long lost loved one and at times with tears rolling down their faces because of the timeless effort and dedication our father put forth into their case, they could now resume to providing for their families. I once asked my Dad, who were all these people who brought piles of paperwork with them? He simply said, “they are human beings who need help”. On his 81st birthday, he was even still concerned with placing his next vote during the upcoming Presidential election. He passionately encouraged every person to ever come across his path to always exercise their civic duties, politically testing and challenging his family and friends daily to see if we were all up to date on current events and world news. A couple of months before Daddy Joe passed, he was an active constituent calling his local representatives to express his concerns for unfairness and inequality. He was a very persistent man and was overjoyed when I read him a response letter from our very own Congressman Joaquin Castro regarding the U.S. judiciary system regarding the H.R. 926 Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal and Transparency Act which would require the Supreme Court to establish a code of conduct for Justices and create a process to investigate judicial misconduct. Additionally H.R. would expand the guidelines for judicial disqualifications meaning no Justice would be able to rule on a case where they have a prior relationship with either party. Daddy Joe will be remembered for his passion for advocating civil and employment rights for federal workers, his fondness for fishing, skilled hunting, delight in playing his guitar, adoration for singing, writing music and the extreme love he had for cooking calling himself Chef in his kitchen. Daddy Joe was also in a band called The Marvels in which he sang and played lead guitar. He loved to listen to his favorite music artists such as Rocio Durcal, Vicente Fernandez, and Los Tres Reyes and other Trio groups and was fascinated to see Vicente Fernandez and Los Tres Reyes in concert. He was a cherished, devoted mentor, supporter, teacher of kindness yet still strict and stern with just a glance, politically engaged, compassionate, tender, loving, joyful and a father to so many countless other souls who just needed the love, attention & quality time of a dedicated father whose wisdom and warmth will live on through his four children, Jose J.Perez Jr. , daughters Esmeralda A. Perez, Maria A. Perez- (Christopher) Garcia, and Yvonne L. Garcia. Paula Perez lived with us for a few seasons of her life and Daddy Joe, whom she nicknamed, has repeatedly said throughout his lifetime that she was placed in his life to keep him on his feet and motivated him to keep pushing forward. His journey was one of unconditional love for his five grandchildren – Dorian G. Perez, Julian M. Perez, Michael A. Peralta, Martha A. Rogers (Adrian), April Y. Garcia, Christopher T. Garcia and Esmer’s fur baby grandchild Prince Perez. His legacy continues to grow with five great grandchildren for whom his heart definitively skipped a beat for – Scarlett Rose Navarro, Summer Angel Peralta, Leena Violette Rogers, Adrian L. Rogers Jr., Reniya Truce Garcia, Saint Le Angelo Peralta (born on Great Grandpa’s birthday) and he was excited for the upcoming birth of Baby Azalea Amani Perez. Chuca is also survived by six siblings – Ismael Gaona, Ricardo Gaona, Graciela Gaona, Leticia Gaona, Ralph Gaona and Mary Harris. In-laws Rosario Perez and Jerry (Syliva) Jimenez, Comadre Connie Reyes, and numerous nieces, nephews, and primos. He has been reunited in heaven with his treasured loved ones; his spouse Cruz, and five brothers – Juan Perez, Santiago Perez, Thomas (Virgie) Perez, Fidel Gaona Jr., Miguel Gaona, and two great grandchildren- Baby Perez-Garcia and Baby Dario Garcia, and life long friends Compadres Danny Reyes, and Compadres Richard and Connie Mendez. Our humbled family wishes to extend the deepest grace and gratitude to all of the nurses and doctors throughout daddy’s life, especially those from Accent Health Palliative Care Team who showed unwavering compassion accessible to us 24/7 for the entire duration of our Patriarchs end of life journey treating him along every step of the way with such dignity. Nurse Ladi said it best, that he had just met Jose and could see without a doubt he was most respected, deeply loved and cherished by such a loving family and friends. Nurse Andrea noticed how if daddy asked for us, we all jumped to his bedside. She reminded us that he was so blessed to have so much love, support and willing hands to keep him comfortable in his own home. Our hats off to our sweet Social Worker Ashley for providing a genuine level of concern, checking in with us often, showing such compassion for his daughters and our families; she’s a beautiful soul indeed. Mil gracias to all our family and friends for many years of friendship, who helped to support us during this difficult time of loss, grief and mourning. We sincerely appreciate all the love, thoughts, kind gestures, hot meals, calls or texts and prayers. We encourage everyone to keep in touch. May Daddy Joe’s perpetual light shine upon him as we ask for mercy, peace and divine light to shine upon him forever. Jose's blessing for his entire family was to stay faith filled, practice your civic duties, stay informed with current events, to have patience with one another, be helpful, help one another grow, enjoy each other's company with music, laughter, food, fun and continue to build a lifetime of cherished memories; live the best life you can with every breath you take.

Tributes

Jose J. Perez Sr.

February 5, 1945 - February 12, 2026