Obituary for Andrew Joseph Perez
Andrew Joseph Perez passed away peacefully with his daughter and granddaughter at his bedside on Thursday, October 1, after a short illness. Andy was born on August 8, 1925 in Bremond, Texas to the late Jose M. Perez and Antonia Garcia Perez. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jeannine Matthews Perez, his oldest son, Timothy Perez, four younger sisters Maria E. Ramirez, Estanislada Beverly, Celestine Coker, Mary Jane Wilson, and baby brother, Jose Perez Jr.
Andy grew up on the family farm outside of Marlin, Texas during the Great Depression. At age 16, his aunt invited him to live with her and his cousins in the “big city,” Dallas. Andy went to work at Vic’s Restaurant and quickly moved up from washing dishes and busing tables to a cashier’s position. He sent all his earnings to his mother.
Drafted in 1943, Andy joined the United States Army. During his tenure in the Army, he attained the rank of sergeant. Andy was a decorated WWII combat veteran who served with the 70th Infantry Division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944, and in January, 1945. Andy only recently spoke of the hardships his platoon endured fighting during that harsh winter and the human suffering he witnessed on both sides.
After the war, Andy returned to Dallas and attended SMU’s Business College on the GI Bill. He started his career in the transportation industry and rose to the position of Traffic Manager in his 25+ years at Arkansas Best Freight and Director of Traffic and Sales at East Texas Motor Freight. Besides his knowledge and experience in the freight business, Andy was a “born” extrovert – outgoing, personable, and confident. Many of his work associates became lifelong friends. He was successful because he liked people and he intuitively knew how to connect with customers and gain their trust.
Our father worked to live. He did not live to work. His main priority was always his family and their welfare. He was deeply devoted to his parents, his siblings, and their families. He was generous with his time, kind, and fiercely protective of those he loved.
The love of his life was his wife and soulmate, Jeannine Matthews. Their love affair lasted 70 years until our mother passed away almost two years ago. Even though they were complete opposites in their interests and personalities, they were extremely compatible and enjoyed each other’s company. Mutual respect and support helped them during the difficult periods of raising six rowdy children.
Like many men, Daddy’s love language was “acts of service.” He would spend an entire day smoking baby back ribs for our families. His ribs were hands down, better than any barbeque restaurant. Our friends would agree. He loved to feed us. Even when he was sick in the hospital, he wanted to know if his sons and daughter had dinner for the evening. He wanted to know how his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were doing and if anyone was sick. Daddy focused on his family, not himself. He called his three siblings almost every day, just like he had called our grandmother every night when we were little.
Besides being a World Class Pit Master, Daddy loved to plant home grown tomatoes so he could share them with family members. He loved to play golf. Usually, it was with his brother, son, and their friends. He was a Cowboys fan and enjoyed watching the games with his sons. Daddy loved watching the news and the golf channel. He liked to debate politics with his brother. He loved telling us stories of “living on the farm.” Vices? Daddy was stubborn and so independent that his children would worry about him driving past dark.
Andy is survived by his five children: Belinda Gregory, Julie Perez (Gary Carpenter), Tom Perez, Terry Perez, Anne Perez (Joel Forgus); three grandchildren: Jessie Doyle (Gordon), Tessa Carpenter, and Bailey Forgus; four great-grandchildren: Michael, Matthew, Abby, and Christopher Doyle; his brother, Martin Perez (Nell), his sisters, Nicholas Bell and sister Chonita Isaacs (Bobby), and twenty nieces and nephews and their families.
William Wallace once said, “Every man dies. Not every man lives.”
Andy grew up on the family farm outside of Marlin, Texas during the Great Depression. At age 16, his aunt invited him to live with her and his cousins in the “big city,” Dallas. Andy went to work at Vic’s Restaurant and quickly moved up from washing dishes and busing tables to a cashier’s position. He sent all his earnings to his mother.
Drafted in 1943, Andy joined the United States Army. During his tenure in the Army, he attained the rank of sergeant. Andy was a decorated WWII combat veteran who served with the 70th Infantry Division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944, and in January, 1945. Andy only recently spoke of the hardships his platoon endured fighting during that harsh winter and the human suffering he witnessed on both sides.
After the war, Andy returned to Dallas and attended SMU’s Business College on the GI Bill. He started his career in the transportation industry and rose to the position of Traffic Manager in his 25+ years at Arkansas Best Freight and Director of Traffic and Sales at East Texas Motor Freight. Besides his knowledge and experience in the freight business, Andy was a “born” extrovert – outgoing, personable, and confident. Many of his work associates became lifelong friends. He was successful because he liked people and he intuitively knew how to connect with customers and gain their trust.
Our father worked to live. He did not live to work. His main priority was always his family and their welfare. He was deeply devoted to his parents, his siblings, and their families. He was generous with his time, kind, and fiercely protective of those he loved.
The love of his life was his wife and soulmate, Jeannine Matthews. Their love affair lasted 70 years until our mother passed away almost two years ago. Even though they were complete opposites in their interests and personalities, they were extremely compatible and enjoyed each other’s company. Mutual respect and support helped them during the difficult periods of raising six rowdy children.
Like many men, Daddy’s love language was “acts of service.” He would spend an entire day smoking baby back ribs for our families. His ribs were hands down, better than any barbeque restaurant. Our friends would agree. He loved to feed us. Even when he was sick in the hospital, he wanted to know if his sons and daughter had dinner for the evening. He wanted to know how his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were doing and if anyone was sick. Daddy focused on his family, not himself. He called his three siblings almost every day, just like he had called our grandmother every night when we were little.
Besides being a World Class Pit Master, Daddy loved to plant home grown tomatoes so he could share them with family members. He loved to play golf. Usually, it was with his brother, son, and their friends. He was a Cowboys fan and enjoyed watching the games with his sons. Daddy loved watching the news and the golf channel. He liked to debate politics with his brother. He loved telling us stories of “living on the farm.” Vices? Daddy was stubborn and so independent that his children would worry about him driving past dark.
Andy is survived by his five children: Belinda Gregory, Julie Perez (Gary Carpenter), Tom Perez, Terry Perez, Anne Perez (Joel Forgus); three grandchildren: Jessie Doyle (Gordon), Tessa Carpenter, and Bailey Forgus; four great-grandchildren: Michael, Matthew, Abby, and Christopher Doyle; his brother, Martin Perez (Nell), his sisters, Nicholas Bell and sister Chonita Isaacs (Bobby), and twenty nieces and nephews and their families.
William Wallace once said, “Every man dies. Not every man lives.”