Luis Gonzalo Perez's Obituary
Luis Gonzalo Perez
September 23,1930 - August 29, 2024
A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Luis passed away in the presence of his beloved wife, Dorothy, and his children at the age of 93, in San Diego, California. He was a warm, caring, selfless person who always thought of others instead of himself. He will be greatly missed by family and by all who knew him as “Lou” or “Louie”.
Luis was born in Ysleta, Texas just outside of El Paso, on September 23,1930 to Rito and Guadalupe Perez. He lost his mother to pneumonia at around age two and his father at age seventeen. Luis attended Ysleta High School, where he played the flugelhorn in the Ysleta Indians high school band. Upon losing his father, Luis decided to join the U.S Navy and with the permission of his Aunt Victorina, Luis enlisted in the Navy at age 17. He retired as a Senior Chief Personnelman after a successful 23-year career in the Navy.
Luis was married to his wife, Dorothy for over 73 years. Their life as a Navy family had its challenges, with Luis at sea for six months or more at a time, while Dorothy was at home with their five children. Luis and Dorothy were otherwise inseparable. They made sacrifices to send their children to Catholic school, were active in school, and church activities, and provided their children with a loving and supportive home. Luis and Dorothy, at Luis ’urging, began to travel the world after he retired. They went on cruises to the Mediterranean and Asia, river boats in Germany, and visited the Holy Land. Their travels created lifelong memories that filled photo albums.
Luis' love for Dorothy knew no bounds. She was his “Baby,” and “Darling Wife”. He often referred to the food she cooked as “pure ambrosia, food of the gods”. He savored everything in life with her. As Luis advanced in his Alzheimer’s condition, Dorothy supported Luis with unwavering compassion and strength.
In November 1947, Luis enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Aside from his tours in Brooklyn, NY and Pensacola, FL, Luis was a “West Coast Sailor” including time on Ford Island, HI. Luis' achievements included “1960 Enlisted Man of the Year of Ellyson Field Naval Air Station” in Pensacola, FL. His highest military honor awarded was the Combat Action Ribbon, received while serving during the Korean War.
While in the Navy, Luis completed high school and later obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology. After retiring from the Navy on a Friday afternoon in 1970, he went to work the following Monday at the Veterans Administration as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, helping countless veterans as a benefits counselor for 23 years. He was quick to give guidance on VA benefits to many of his friends, who were veterans. Luis was passionate about his mission, as he traveled throughout Southern California counseling and placing veterans into jobs, educational opportunities, and other programs to improve their lives. In honor of his service, his plaque is placed at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.
With Dorothy, Luis instilled the best qualities in their five children, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Their children, were raised with love and also with integrity, a hard work ethic, discipline, respect for others, and a sense of purpose. Luis is survived by all his children, Yvonne, Dennis (Caryn), William, Jeanne (Scott), and Rosanne; his grandchildren, Brittany (Jake), Kyle (Adriana), Alyssa, Julianne, Brian, Taylor (Andy), Shannon (Sean), and Jack; and his great grandchildren, Daulton, Lincoln, Mikayla, Millie, Farrah, and Ruth. They will all greatly miss “Dad,” “Pops,” “Papa Lou,” and “Grandpa.”
In lieu of flowers, consider sending a donation to Holy Family Church at
https://www.osvhub.com/holy-family-parish-sd/giving/funds/quick-give-one-time-no-account-needed
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