Bernardo Perez

Weslaco/Progresso Lakes: Bernardo Perez, 89, passed away on Thursday, January 12th, at McAllen Medical Center. Bernardo was born on August 20, 1927 to Eduardo and Marciana Perez in Mexico. He grew up with four brothers and a sister and learned all he knew through experience and hard work. He met his future bride, Maria Dolores, as a young boy where they grew up in the same neighborhood. Bernardo worked hard, but during his free time he enjoyed playing baseball and he was a great player. When Bernardo was 16, he came to the United States and went to work for a farmer. He had a natural green thumb and loved to work in the agriculture business. When he saved up enough money, he went right back to Mexico, picked out a beautiful wedding dress, and picked up his future bride. They were married in June of 1950 and they would enjoy a long and loving marriage of nearly 67 years. Bernardo would move his family to Progreso Lakes, where he continued working in the farming industry, which he so passionately loved. He was a very hard worker and thoroughly enjoyed the fruits of his labor. He would bring any food he could home, all sorts of fruits and vegetables home to the kids. Onions were their favorite, but Bernardo's favorite thing to do, was to load them up in a truck and share the food with friends and neighbors. He often would bring them to church and allow people to take their choice. He also grew valley lemons at home and all of the neighbors reaped the benefit. He would sack them up and get on his gold cart to deliver to all of the neighbors. He was very giving and loved to share. Bernardo and Maria Dolores would have eight children, Oralia, Dolores, Francisca, Mary, Refugio, Eliazar, Ricardo, and Luis. Bernardo was a very hard worker and he instilled this in his children at an early age. As early as Maria would allow, about 10 years old, they were working on the farm with dad. They all helped to earn a living and support the family, right along-side dad. Bernardo began working at the Sugar Mill in the very early stages and would work there until his retirement. When he wasn't farming, Bernardo's favorite hobby was landscaping. He loved to work in the yard. They always had beautiful roses and he would bring them in to his wife and all the girls. As long as there were girls in the house, there would be a rose garden. Not only did he farm for a living, he had plenty of fruit bearing trees at home. Though he didn't spend a lot of time sitting around, Bernardo still enjoyed a good football game, especially the Dallas Cowboys. He and his wife moved to Weslaco after retirement and he still kept up with all of the landscaping. Bernardo is preceded in death by his parents, Eduardo and Marciana Perez, his brothers, Jose Perez, Bartolo Perez, and Florentino Perez, and his sister, Jacinta Rodriguez. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 67 years, Maria Dolores, his children, Eliazar (Alí) Perez and wife Beverly, of Colleyville, TX, brother, Agapito Perez, Ricardo Perez, of San Antonio, TX, Luis Perez and wife Estella, of Weslaco, TX, Oralia P. Huggins and husband, Robert A, of San Antonio, TX, Dolores P. Garcia and husband, Manuel Jr., of Weslaco, TX, Fransisca P. Vega and husband, Robert, of Weslaco, TX, Mary Perez of Weslaco, TX, Refugio Perez and wife, Silvia, of Fort Worth, Texas, grandchildren, Robert Jr. Vega and wife, Leslie, of Edinburg, TX, Mark Anthony Vega, and wife, Adrienne Casciato, of Weslaco, TX, Consuelo Vega, of Edinburg, TX, Bernadette Marie Garcia and husband, Virgil, of Harlingen, TX, Benjamin Alexander Perez and John Spencer Perez, of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, 20 great grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. Visitation will be held on Sunday, from 3-8 pm, with a 7pm prayer service at McCaleb Chapel. A chapel service will be held at McCaleb Chapel on Monday at 10am, with interment to follow at Highland Memorial Park.