MENDOTA - Jose Guadalupe Perez, 49 years young, passed on to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Sept. 5, 2021.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Christ Church, 1107 Main St., Mendota followed by refreshments. Those attending are strongly encouraged to wear a mask due to COVID-19. For those who cannot make it or do not feel comfortable coming in person, a Zoom link will be shared. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family.

Survivors include his wife, Lupe; three children, Eduardo, Esmeralda and Isaiah; and eight siblings, Guille, Antonio, Juan, Alex, Daniel, Hernan, Esmeralda and Maria.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose G. Perez and Maria Del Refugio Diaz, and a stillborn daughter, Valerie Perez.

Jose was a natural born leader. From the start he was a good man with good intentions, but by his mid/late 20s he had already suffered the loss of his father and a miscarriage with his wife, Lupe. In some ways, he was a bit lost but shortly thereafter, he and his wife welcomed their firstborn son, Eddie, into the world. Around the same time, they both came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior and be saved by the Grace of the Lord. Once Jose’s journey with Christ began, his love and guidance was available to anyone who was open to receive it. Along the way he led many people to Christ. He was a true and proud servant of the Lord and his home was always open to those who needed support. Many knew him and continued to refer to him as “Coach.” He loved soccer and coached his first son and daughter’s teams from their first soccer games and throughout the off-seasons of their high school careers. He taught life lessons to many of his students through the game and provided unconditional support to those he coached. There were not many people he encountered who did not walk away with positive thoughts and since his passing, many have come to his family and flooded them with the sincere memories and thoughts of the great man that Jose was. For that, the family is forever grateful.

Knowing him meant knowing what it was to be a loving son, brother, husband, father, friend and leader. Jose dedicated his life to those he loved, especially his wife and children. He will forever be in their hearts and be greatly missed. His wife, children, siblings and their children, along with countless more have all felt the grace of the Lord through Jose. As his heart beat its last beats, he was surrounded by many people who loved him. In a room full of people who Jose had led to Christ, they guided him gracefully into the Lord’s hands. He will be remembered, missed and loved forever and always.

Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.