Louis Avendano Pérez, Jr., beloved father, grandfather, friend and community leader went to heaven on Wednesday, July 5, 2017.
Louis was born to Adelmira and Louis S. Pérez on September 18, 1943, in Sonora, Texas.
The oldest of five boys, Louis attended schools in Sonora. He graduated from high school in 1963 and later moved to San Angelo where he graduated from San Angelo College in 1967.
Louis married Alma Sánchez Pérez and they moved to Lubbock, Texas, and began a career in teaching.
Later, Louis attended law school and became one of the first Mexican-American students to graduate from Texas Tech law school.
Louis and his family established themselves in San Angelo, Texas in 1973.
He was only the second Mexican-American to practice law in the San Angelo area at the time. He represented generations of families in over 40 years of practicing law.
Louis had a guiding principle that no one should be treated as a second-class citizen and the law should protect all from any forces that try to treat them as such.
Louis was very active in the community. He worked on political campaigns, served as general counsel for LULAC and the American G.I. Forum, served as parish council president at St. Joseph's Church, was a lifetime member of the Southside Lions Club, and he and his family were driving forces in citywide celebrations like Fiesta Patrias (Diez y Seis) at Fort Concho and Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
Louis was also one of the founding owners and President of La Unica Broadcasting Corporation which was founded in 1985. It was very important to him and his co-founders that the Spanish speaking community have access to radio, news and a voice to speak on their behalf.
Louis is survived by his son Louie A. Pérez, Louie’s wife Amy, of San Angelo, his daughter Marisol L. Pérez, her husband David Antón Armendáriz, of San Antonio, his daughter Stephanie Minjarez, her husband Jesse Rene, of San Angelo, and his former wife, Alma Sanchez Pérez of San Angelo.
He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jordan Minjarez and wife Yvonne, Joshua and Jonah Minjarez, Karina and Louis Andrew Pérez, and Xiména and Xotchitl Armendáriz and one great granddaughter Montserrat Minjarez.
Additionally, Louis is survived by his siblings and their spouses, Fred Pérez and his wife Mary, of Sonora, Ben Pérez and his wife Barbara, of San Angelo, and Henry Pérez and his wife Arlene of Flower Mound. He also leaves behind much other family and dear friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents and brother, John David.
A viewing and Rosary was held Friday, July 7, 2017, at St Joseph Catholic Church in San Angelo, where he was a lifelong parishioner.
The celebration of his life and funeral service was held Saturday, July 8, at his home church of St. Ann’s Parish in Sonora
Graveside service and interment were held at Sonora Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jordan Minjarez, Joshua Minjarez, Jonah Minjarez, John Henry Pérez, Ernest Pérez and Paul Sanchez. Honorary Pallbearers were Frank Sanchez, Louis Trejo, Arturo “Turis” Bermea, Pete Chapa (Deceased), Sabino Garcia (Deceased) and Jose “Pepe” Marquez (Deceased).
Services were entrusted to Love Funeral Home of Sonora.
I am the last to throw the puño de tierra and I cry
No, esta vez no fue mi abuelo ni mi abuela
Pero otra vez fue un Sonorense que está entregado
Entregado en la tierra de nuestras familias
Entregado en la tierra de nuestros antepasados
Entregado en el respeto que queda en cada Sonorense
Y fue entregado con el resto de la historia de Sonora
Y es por eso que yo lloro
