Antonio Gabriel Perez “Tony,” 78, passed away at home March 9, 2016.
Tony was born on March 21, 1938, at St. John’s Catholic Hospital in Gas. He attended St. John’s Catholic School and Iola High School. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola. 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, then remarried Sept. 18, 1959, in Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Tony worked for HyPlains Dressing Beef until 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. Then in 1992 they married in Sacred Heart Church in Emporia.
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 upkeep 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, Emporia; daughters, Alberta Sue Perez Prosper and husband Ray Floyd Prosper, North Little Rock, Ark., Sabrina Yvonne Perez Villagrana and companion Melkin Monge, Dodge City; daughter-in-law, Bridget Perez, Dodge City; sons, Antonio Christopher and wife San Juanita Perez, Altus, Okla., Jeffery Lee and wife Leslie Perez, Holcomb, Severo Federico Perez, Dodge City, Joseph Marshall and wife Danielle Perez, Dodge City, Vincente Marguarito and wife Veda Perez, North Little Rock, Kenton Dale and wife Michelle Lewis, Topeka, Myles Lyndon Lewis, Wichita, Mathew Christopher and wife Ashley Minton, El Dorado; 28 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; sisters, Angelita and husband Larry Noble, Prescott, Ariz., Maria Luiza Perez Otto, Iola, Florentina and husband William Croghan, Moran, Adelina and husband Steve Holloway, Gas, Theresa and husband Henry Flack, Arlington, Texas, Elizabeth and husband Bobby McVey, Kansas City, Mo.; and a brother, Fidel and wife Carol Perez, Kansas City.
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.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rosary Service to be held at 6 o’clock. A Mass service will be officiated by Father Farrar at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus.
