David Perez

David (Dave) Perez made his last grand gesture on April 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones, he was 105. Dave was born to Maximilliano and Cristina Perez in Bisbee Az, March 1, 1920. His formative years resulted in an education of resourcefulness and hard work. Being one of the eldest was a dubious task but he was up for the challenge and with his siblings there was a childhood of pranks, like when he was 7 and would get thrown into the back of the slow moving, uphill, pie man's truck to "borrow" a couple of treats. The family moved to the Gonzales CA area in 1931. David along with the older siblings traveled with their father around the Central Coast working in agriculture during the Great Depression. He attended Gonzales schools. He was an athlete and starred in baseball and basketball, serving for the latter as captain of the team. He joined the Army at the beginning of World War II, and departed from San Francisco, where he famously told his mother that the military assured him it would be an 18 month stint. He returned almost five years later, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He was a combat medic and saved many lives. He was in two of the fiercest island battles, Saipan and Okinawa and was subsequently awarded 2 Bronze Star Medals with V for valor or heroism under fire and a Purple Heart among his citations. Upon returning to Monterey County he entered the work force in the retail field, first in jewelry and later as a clothier. A superb dancer, he came to know a young lady who would later become the love of his life, Lillian (Chata) Rodriguez. She was famously chaperoned by her mother, Felicitas, at the many dances around the county, most famously, at the Foresters Hall in downtown Salinas. Felicitas did not like David for her daughter, considering him a bon vivant, and not surprisingly, came to love him very much. They married in 1951 and welcomed Celia in 1959 and Felicia in 1962. He was a great dad, often the breakfast maker and participated in many school activities. Favorites were father-daughter events at school and with local organizations. Always ready with his Super 8 cameras (although lots of thumbs in scenes) he recorded so many family memories. He was an avid Los Angeles Dodger and Ram fan. Despite being so much closer to San Francisco and the Giants and 49ers, he had become a Dodger fan after serving with an infantry troop from Brooklyn, New York during the war. He loved going to Reno, first with Lillian and her brother and his wife Hank and Elaine Rodriguez, then with his daughters and sister Christine and her daughter Belinda Castro.
He went to work for Joseph Felman of Felman's Men's Store in 1954 and purchased the business with Lillian in 1969. He is fondly remembered of having provided many young men with their first established credit. He often provided them with their first suit and help them prepare for their job interviews and other special occasions. Many had their first job with David, including Celia and Felicia who started as the official dusters and gift wrappers. Lillian paid Celia a whooping $1.25 an hour. He belonged to several organizations including the Salinas Elks 614, American Legion Post 31, Disabled American Veterans and Madonna Del Sasso Church. He leaves behind a large loving family and many friends. He is survived by his daughters: Celia Perez Martinez (Raul) grandchildren Alexandria, Joel, Cory and great grandchildren, Zariah, Roxanne, JJ, and Altas; Felicia Perez Kausin (Ray) grandchildren Natalie Perez Medina and Rene Kausin DeLeon (Johnny) and great grandchildren Elijah James Rios-Medina, Mekko Moore, and Liam Moore. He is also survived by his sister Christine Castro and brother Calistro (Kelly) G. Perez (Helen), sisters in law Arcilia Perez and Linda Curtis, as well as MANY nieces and nephews and godchildren and cousins. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Mac, Susie, Burt, Maximino, Joe, Lucy, Max, Pete, Mary, Lolie, Danny, George, and Manuel. A special thank you to the caregivers who helped him in his home from CHOICE Home Health, especially Myrna and Abigail. His love, joy of living, and love of dancing and music will be dearly missed by family and friends.
No flowers, please. The family asks to honor his memory, with donations to: by mail Monterey Bay Veterans Parade-PO Box 266, Salinas CA 93902 For information -montereycountyveteransdayparade.org. Or The Fisher House Palo Alto - 3801 Miranda Ave. Bldg. 10 Palo Alto CA 94304 - Memo Line Memory of David G. Perez Family
A vigil service will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 4pm at Struve and Laporte Funeral Home at 41 West San Luis Street, Salinas CA.
He will be laid to rest with Lillian with a military honors funeral at the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery 2900 Parker Flats Cut Off Rd. Seaside CA on May 12, 2025 at 9:30AM.
A celebration of his life, following the service, will be held at Spreckels Veterans' Memorial Building, 90 Fifth St., Spreckels CA.
Arrangements were made by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home. To share a memory of David or send a condolence to his family please visit the Struve and Laporte Funeral Home website.