Jesse De La Cruz Perez

JESSE DE LA CRUZ PEREZ, 85, a lifelong resident of Southern California, passed peacefully at his reside in the comfort of his own family on the morning of January 7, 2021. He will always be remembered as the loving, hardworking, devoted family man that he was. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Adelina Mary Perez, his five children and nine grandchildren. Jesse was the third youngest amongst his nine siblings, born on February 20, 1932 to Luz and Manuel Perez. After graduating from Thermal Union High School in 1958 (now Coachella Valley High School), he went on to serve in the U.S. Army for two years as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 31st Field Artillery in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Upon his return from his military duty, he attended Los Angeles Trade Technical College where he received a certificate degree in Automotive Collision Repair. He would serve as an auto metal man in the industry for 40 years, most of which with Keystone Ford in Norwalk and Puente Hills Toyota. In 1961, Jesse Perez met the love of his life, Adelina Mary Perez. They spent their first date together dancing the night away and the rest was history. A year later in 1962 they were married and since then, lived in Pico Rivera, Placentia, Chino Hills and eventually Riverside raising their children and spending 58 years together. They have a son Christopher, and four daughters Lorraine, Elizabeth, Irene and Lynda; who then blessed them with nine beautiful grandchildren: Samantha, Kasey, Jesse, Jenna, Stephanie, Michael, Sadie, Bryan and Michael. Jesse's favorite thing to do was spend time with his grandkids, always making them laugh. Even at the age of 85, Jesse was always on the move, from DIY projects around the house, tending to his many plants and, with his family, visiting nearly every restaurant in Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties. Like many, he was at his happiest when he discovered new places, whether it was a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, a new casino or an out-of-state baseball field. Jesse loved experiencing new places and vacations with his family. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Corona where Jesse and Adelina are active parishioners. A Rosary will be incited at 10:30 a.m., followed by mass commencement at 11:00 a.m. The immediate family will then accompany Jesse De La Cruz Perez to the Riverside National Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with military honors. Cemetery Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Blvd Riverside, CA 92518 Wednesday 2/24, 1:00 pm Mass St Matthew's Catholic Church 2140 W Ontario Ave Corona, CA Wednesday 2/24, 10:30 am