Antonio Gabriel Perez, D'56, passed away on March 9, 2016 in Emporia, Kansas.Tony was born on March 21st 1938 at St. John's Catholic Hospital in Basset Kansas. He attended St. John's Catholic School and Iola High School. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Iola, Kansas. Mr. Perez served in the Army during peace time and for that we salute and thank you for your service.
In 1958, he met Margaret Lozano, they married in Ashland, Kansas, then remarried September 18th 1959 in Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Tony worked for HyPlains Dressing Beef 'til 1974, moved to Emporia, and worked at Iowa Beef. He divorced, but continued to be a part of his children's lives.
In 1981, Tony started working for Dillons. In 1984 he met Jackie Bulla; in 1988 he married Jackie in the presence of his sisters in Iola, Kansas. Then in 1992 they married in Sacred Heart Church in Emporia, Kansas.
Tony was an active member for the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Order of Eagles and the American Legion.
After retiring from Dillons as manager of the dairy produce, Tony worked for the church (Didde Catholic Campus Center). Tony's hobbies were the up keep of his yard and of his neighbors yards, fiddling in his garage, occasionally picking up Jackie's "Honey Do Lists", listening to music, lots of dancing and relaxing in his man cave to cheer on his favorite basketball team "KU" where he collected memorabilia along with family pictures.
The ultimate joy of Tony's life was family and friends. He enjoyed the presence of all his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He enjoyed life, laughter and having fun with anyone and everyone he came in contact with. It was never a dull moment around Tony, his quick wit, his jokes, his laughter, but most of all his loving and caring soul. A great man of many talents and for that you will be truly missed. He was a great son, brother, husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa and friend. Rest in Heaven.
Tony is survived by his wife, Jackie Perez of Emporia, KS; daughters, Alberta Sue Perez Prosper and husband Ray Floyd Prosper of N. Little Rock, ARK, Sabrina Yvonne Perez Villagrana and companion Melkin Monge of Dodge City, KS; daughter-in-law, Bridget Perez of Dodge City, KS; sons, Antonio Christopher and wife San Juanita Perez of Altus, OK, Jeffery Lee and wife Leslie Perez of Holcomb, KS, Severo Federico Perez of Dodge City, KS, Joseph Marshall and wife Danielle Perez of Dodge City, KS, Vincente Marguarito and wife Veda Perez of N. Little Rock, ARK, Kenton Dale and wife Michelle Lewis of Topeka, KS, Myles Lyndon Lewis of Wichita, KS, Mathew Christopher and wife Ashley Minton of El Dorado, KS; 28 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; sisters, Angelita and husband Larry Noble of Prescott, AZ, Maria Luiza Perez Otto of Iola, KS, Florentina and husband William Croghan of Moran KS; Adelina and husband Steve Holloway of Gas, KS, Theresa and husband Henry Flack of Arlington, TX, Elizabeth and husband Bobby McVey of Kansas City, MO; brother, Fidel and wife Carol Perez of Kansas City, MO.
Tony was proceed in death by his parents, Federico and Florentina Perez; sister, Delores Perez Martinez; brothers, Maximo Perez and Paul Perez; his son, Patricio F. Perez; grandson, Luis Gabriel; and nieces, Patty Patterson and Brenda Holloway.
Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rosary Service to be held at 6:00 p.m. A Mass service will be officiated by Father Farrar at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus.