Frank Delgado PEREZ

January 14, 1924 - January 16, 2015 On 1/16/2015, Frank Delgado Perez went aloft at the age of 91 years. He is survived by his brother and sister in law, Gilbert and Elizabeth Perez in Fresno, CA along with his large extended family. Frank was born on 1/14/1924 in Los Angeles to Albin and Natalie Perez and remained a Native Son his entire life. He was enlisted with the 8th Air Force, 401st Bomb Group (H) flying with the 613th Squadron as a Ball Turret Gunner on a B-17 and completed 32 missions in Europe. He received several medals including the French Legion of Honor Medal and was knighted by the President of France in 2014. He went on to graduate from Cal Poly with a degree in Agriculture. He began working for his father's commercial landscaping business and then went on to work for North American which he retired from in 1968. Frank was accomplished at Judo and studied seven languages. He was a very active individual who loved to exercise daily. He was a very friendly and generous individual who loved his neighbors, friends and extended family. He was passionate about his Catholic Faith, his family and the 401st Bomb Group Association. Over the years he volunteered with his church and the Culver City Senior Center. He loved to travel within the United States and abroad, visiting almost every continent in the last decade of his life. He loved para sailing, sky diving, para gliding and hang gliding accomplishing all of these extreme activities from the age of 78 - 88. Services for Frank are as follows: Rosary - 2/2/15 at 6:30 pm at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, CA. Funeral - 2/3/2015 at Saint Augustine Church in Culver City, CA, followed by his burial service at Holy Cross Cemetery with full military honors. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Frank's life. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Saint Augustine Catholic Church or the 401st Bomb Group Association. www.401bg.org. The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to dear and longtime friends Ross and Valerie Urquhart, Cynthia Gambrell, Angela and Marten Dyborn and Andy Swinnen for their dedication to his care especially over the final months of his life.