Dr. Ricardo Jesus Perez

DR. RICARDO JESUS PEREZ
EDINBURG - Dr. Ricardo Jesus Perez of Edinburg, Texas, a pioneer in bilingual education at the University of Texas-Pan American and retired chair of the College of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2007, at Rio Grande Region Hospital. Dr. Perez was 64 years old.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Dr. Graciela Villegas Perez; his son, Ricardo Javier Perez, and his wife Amanda Perez, and their daughters Araceli Azaneth Perez and Cristal Yvette Perez. He was preceded in death by his parents Jesus Perez and Consuelo Cantu Perez of Harlingen, Texas. He is also survived by his sister, Beatriz Esparza and her husband Abel Esparza of Harlingen; his brother Roberto D. Perez and his wife Helen Perez of San Antonio, Texas; and his brother Rolando R. Perez and his wife Elizabeth Perez of Merced, California. He had one grandson, Ricardo Xavier Perez and was expecting twin granddaughters in May 2007. Dr. Perez is also survived by his aunts Lilo Rodriguez, Estellita Salinas of Mission, and Elvira De La Garza of Edinburg. He had several close cousins: Joe and Yesenia Henderson; Jimmy and Margie Henderson; Frankie and Daria Henderson; and Livia and Johnny Guevara.
Dr. Ricardo J. Perez graduated from Harlingen High School in 1961. Dr. Perez received his bachelor's in secondary education in 1965 from North Texas State University, a master's in education in guidance and counselling in 1971 from South-eastern Oklahoma State University and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Michigan in 1979.
Beginning his career at UTPA in 1975, Dr. Perez served as associate professor; Director/Coordinator for Bilingual-Bicultural Education Program; chair, Department of Curriculum and Instruction; acting dean, School of Education; interim chair, Department of School Administration and Supervision (Educational Leadership); and interim chair, Department of Health and Kinesiology. Dr. Perez also presented at over 55 National, State and Regional conferences on Multicultural-Bilingual Education Topics; was an elected state officer in bilingual organizations and published this in fold.
In addition, Dr. Perez served as the co-director of the Title V Grant: Developing Hispanic Institutions Program from 2003-2004. As co-director, he managed a $2.1 million, five year grant for academic years 2003-2008 that was awarded to UTPA to enhance its faculty and provide a comprehensive student assessment program, thereby improving retention and decreasing graduation time for undergraduate students.
Dr. Perez retired from UTPA on August 31, 2005. In June 2006, Dr. Perez was honoured with the most prestigious award bestowed to a professor, the title of Professor Emeritus. His contributions to the College of Education, the University, and the educational community have been invaluable.
Visitation will take place from 3 to 9 pm, with a 7 pm rosary today, February 4, 2007, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton, in Edinburg. Funeral service will be at 2 pm Monday, February 5, 2007, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.