Jesse George Perez's Obituary
As a devoted Catholic, Jesse George Perez was reunited with his Lord and Savior on May 19, 2024, at the age of 78. Born in Guam, he was the 5th of eleven children to Joaquin C. Perez and Maria P. Perez of Sinajana. He attended St. Jude Catholic School and later George Washington High School. He left the comfort of home for the first time ever when he was drafted into the U.S. Army but held the love and memories of his family and life-long friends close at heart.
Jesse dedicated the next twenty years of his life to serving his country which included tours to Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. It was in Germany that he and the love of his life Rose Mendiola Gogue, of Afana Heights, first enjoyed married life. It was the Vietnam tour, however, that tested his faith in love and humanity. Shrouded by the Lord's protection, Jesse survived the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star as an infantryman and certainly earning the respect of his family and friends as a hero. After that life-affirming tour, Jesse completed his military service with the utmost gratitude; Rose Stood by his side and soon enough, Jesse Jr., Cynthia, and Norma Jean. The family of 5 were inseparable and enjoyed life and adventures together in California, George, Hawaii, and Kentucky. Jesse raised the kids with tender-hearted discipline, pride in Chamorro heritage, faith in God and respect for family. Upon his retirement from Ft. Knox in 1986, he relocated his family to California where, by then, his parents and some siblings resided. He continued civilian employment as a painter for the Port of San Pedro and provided for his growing family. Jesse and Rose were blessed with their first grandchildren, Coleen and Jazlynn, beautiful girls born just a month a part. Memories with extended family at the "Carson House" and with relatives in San Diego multiplied and filled Jesse's heart , who was loved for his humorous, easygoing, and hospitable nature. He loved telling stories while cooking up a good barbeque for the family. After spending several years in California, Jesse decided to settle his family in Washington State. He was attracted by the beauty, climate, and affordability of the Pacific Northwest. He bought his dream home in Tacoma, making it a reflection of who he was and what he loved... a big truck in the driveway, a boat in the oversized garage, plenty of tools in the shed, a fruit tree in the back a swing set in the yard, and plenty of stories and laughter from the grandkids, a dozen in all, who truly made the house a home. Jesse transitioned easily to retirement, filling his days with hunting, fishing, home projects, visiting with friends and playing cards, and most of all, helping raise his grandkids. For them, he read stories, packed lunches, hosted parties, chauffeured rides, repaired flats, and million more acts of love and support.
He genuinely loved us every day. We are forever grateful for his love and devotion as a husband, a father, and a grandfather.
We will miss him dearly.
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