Manuel D. Perez

Manuel D. (Chico) Perez passed away peacefully in his home on January 1, 2019. He was surrounded in love by his wife of 34 years Priscilla, Brian and Elaine.

He was born in Minitare, Nebraska; one of 10 children. He is survived by his sons Brian (Thornton, CO), Dennis (Denver, CO), daughter Laurie (Thornton, CO) and granddaughter Macayla; sister Frances Gonzales (Carrollton, TX), Joan Moreno (Omaha, NE), Ernie (Shirley) Perez (McCook, NE), Richard (Dawn) Perez (Westminster, CO), Barbara Meisheid (Phoenix, AZ), Mary (Keith) Orr (Phoenix, AZ) and Ruth (Bill) Campbell (Alliance, NE). He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Ruth Perez, and sisters Margaret Vergith and Helen Vallejo.

Chico attended Alliance High School having graduated in 1952. He served in the United States Marine Corp in Japan and Korea and left with an honorable discharge before attending Chadron State Teacher's College where he graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Industrial Arts. Chico held jobs as a substitute teacher, driving instructor, various other positions, and later became an insurance agent for Mutual of Omaha where he was honored many times as an outstanding agent. He later went on to create his own business and recruited his own insurance agents.

Chico loved to travel. He was always ready to go someplace. He and Pris traveled to Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, the Greek Islands, Bahamas, several countries in Europe as well as a good portion of the U.S. He also loved to camp. He took his family camping in Colorado, California, Canada and other parts of the U.S. And later, they camped every summer in the mountains not far from Black Hawk.

He could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere – that was his specialty connecting with people.

Chico always enjoyed having family at his house and was always there to make you feel comfortable. He loved his music, mostly Big Band but had any kind of music you wanted to hear. Music would play at his home from morning until night, except for the times he would watch his beloved westerns. He was a big fan of John Wayne and you only needed to walk into his sun room to realize that.

He loved his cheeseburgers. We lovingly called him Whimpy, the Popeye character who loved cheeseburgers. He was also fond of having a Frosty at Wendy's which he referred to as the "W".

Chico will be missed by family and friends and will remain in our hearts forever. His wife, Priscilla was there by his side, and he by hers, from beginning to end. They were not only husband and wife but best friends. Rest in peace, sweet husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend.


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