Vincent Perez

Vincent Perez, 71, of Waco TX, passed away on October 5, 2024 in Waco, Texas.

All services will be held at OakCrest Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 6-8pm with Rosary at 7pm on Thursday, October 17, 2024. 10am service in the chapel at OakCrest on Friday, October 18, 2024. The family will get together at the American Legion 121 from 1-5pm at 722 Leroy Pkwy Elm Mott, TX 76640.

Vincent was born in Waco, TX to Manuela and Jessie on October 5, 1953. He attended Waco schools until he went to Florida to live with his bother Jessie and Esther and enlisted in the Marine Corps while there. He was assigned to Parris Island, SC where he received an honorable discharge in 1972. When coming home to Texas, he lived in San Angelo where he attended welding school. In 1979, he met and married the love of his life Rita Gayton Garcia and had three sons. They just recently celebrated 45 years of marriage on July 27th.

He was a member of St. Francis Church and American Legion 121 where he was commander for 2 years and served other positions on the board. He was also a member of the VFW 6008 Men’s Auxiliary and the MCVA. Vincent loved helping his veterans where he could until Parkinson's took over and he was not driving anymore. He loved his family so much and enjoyed get togethers, cooking fried turkeys and BBQs or just sitting outside with them listening to music. He spent a lot of time with his sons, nieces and nephews especially David II, Melissa, Stacy, and Joann watching the Dallas Cowboys and just talking or joking around.

Vincent was preceded in death by his father, Jessie F. Perez; stepfather, Tim Vargas; stepmother, Angie Perez; sister, Linda; brothers, Mathew Costa, Joe, Paul and Tim Vargas; and mother-in-law, Lena Gayton Garcia.

Vincent is survived by his wife, Rita Gayton Garcia; mother, Manuela Vargas; sons, Vincent, Michael, Julian, and Robert, Sr.; daughters-in-law, Racheal, Chloe, and Melissa; grandchildren, John, Rozlyn, Michael, Robert, Jr., Marissa, Liz, Anthony, and Jason; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Delores, Janie, Floria, Gloria, Angela, and Christina; brothers, Jessie, Rudy, Sam, Robert, Jesse, Mark, and Anthony; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Perez Family wishes to thank Nancy, Irene, Vivian, Andrea, Louis, and Janie for always being there for him and their sister Rita. The AL 121 Family, VFW 6008 family and friends along with Papa Joe’s for always taking care of him when his health started going down.

A very special thank you to all the nurses and CNA’s for taking care of him during his last days with Waco Health Care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Legion 121 in Elm Mott, Veterans One Stop or VFW 6008.