Gene Perez's Obituary
Realto Eugene Perez, was born in Salinas, CA on Nov. 22, 1944 to Bert and Sally Perez. He lived in Salinas and moved to Union City, which became his hometown, no matter if he wandered, always returning to spend the rest of his life.He graduated from James Logan High, class of ’62. In the 60’s, he worked with his father as part of the Farm Workers Labor Movement. He supported Cesar Chavez and his efforts as part of the Brown Berets and one of Cesar Chavez’s bodyguards. His early years were plagued with alcohol and drugs until he found the Lord at the age of 38. At Victory Outreach, he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and for the remainder of his life, he spent working for Jesus Christ, his personal Lord and Savior. He became the Prayer Minister at Victory Outreach and was an Ambassador for Christ, as he witnessed and canvassed the streets and neighborhoods of Union City and the Bay Area, for the next 3 decades of his life.He was an admitted and active Prayer Warrior for Christ – spending long hours in supplication for those in need, for those known to him by name or not. He prayed daily for his children and the community. From praying so long and often, he had calluses on his knees and even to his dying day still had the marks on his knees. A lifelong bachelor, he surprised everyone by marrying his wife Juanita at age 54. They were married for 19 yrs., just 8 months short of the 20 yr. mark. They spent many of those years traveling throughout the United States, sight-seeing many of its National Parks and areas of natural beauty.Eugene is survived by his wife Juanita, father Bert, sister Fatima, brother-in-law Greg, and his sons: Paz and Paco and his grandchildren, Lynae and Elijah and nephew Joaquin.Although he was not highly educated he told his wife “The Lord spoke to me and said, ‘I have given you a Degree in Prayer. I am the one who taught you’.” This is how he would like to be remembered – a faithful man of prayer, who loved God.
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