Johnny A. Perez, 66, USN, Retired.

Johnny A. Perez from Lexington Park, MD, passed on peacefully at St. Mary's Hospice on December 31, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer with his wife by his side. He was born on May 16, 1948 in San Antonio, TX to the late Theodore G. Perez and the late Irene Agnes Garcia Perez Tobias.

Johnny graduated from Luther Burbank High School, San Antonio, TX in June 1967 and enlisted in the United States Navy in July 1968. After attending basic training at Great Lakes, IL, he went on to his adventures by serving at NAS Oceana, VA; VF111, VF194, VF21 and VF51 all at NAS Miramar, CA; VP1 at Barbers Point, HI; VX1 at NAS Patuxent River, MD; VP31 at Moffett Field, CA; Naval Station Keflavik, Iceland; VQ2 at NAS Rota, Spain; and VS28 at Cecil Field, FL. He served on deployments onboard naval aircraft carriers USS Shangri La (CVA-38), USS Oriskany (CVA-34), USS Ranger (CVA-61), USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), and USS Forrestal (CVA-59).

Johnny received many awards such as the Vietnam Service Medal (second award), Good Conduct Medal (fifth award), National Defense Medal, Humanitarian Service Award, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (fourth award), Meritorious Unit Commendation (fourth award), Battle "E" Award (third award), Navy Achievement Medal, and Overseas Service Ribbon (sixth award). John was very proud of having served for over 21 years and honorably retiring in May 1989 as an Aviation Machinist's Mate Petty Officer First Class (AD1).

Following his military retirement, Johnny was employed at Boeing Aircraft Company in Everett, WA, as an engineering technician and then with DYNCORP at NAS Patuxent River, MD, as a Power Plants mechanic and shift supervisor. In June 2000, John accepted a Civil Service position at what is now referred as AVMI as an Engineering Technician and Quality Assurance and Safety Inspector. He retired for the second time in November 2011 and enjoyed his time doing what he wanted.

He enjoyed his bi-annual visits to the casinos in Atlantic City, NJ; watching NCIS and his other favorite television programs; going to the gym 3 times a week until he was unable to continue; and volunteering. Johnny was a proud and active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW 2632), Disabled American Veterans (DAV Chapter 26), American Legion, and Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks (ELKS Lodge 2092).

While stationed at Patuxent River, MD Johnny met and married his wife and best friend, Nancy, in August 1977. They have enjoyed over 37 wonderful years together. Johnny is survived by his son Ken (Joannah) and 3 granddaughters Elyse, Keeley, and Calista from Lima, OH. He is survived by his siblings Ralph (Olga) Perez, Diana (Frank) Cantu, Ana Marie Morgan, Carlos (Hilda) Tobias, Yolanda (Victor) Ponce, Antonio Tobias, and Angela Tobias Aguirre all residing in the San Antonio, TX area; and his in-laws Andy (Denise) Davis of Portland, OR; Phyllis Leighton of California, MD; Marjory Holcomb of California, MD; Linda Davis of Columbia, MD and Marilyn (Jack) Jannarone of Highland Falls, NY. As well as numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins. He is loved and will be missed by family and friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, January 9, 2015 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 10:30 AM in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Lexington Park, MD with Father Marco Schad officiating and Monsignor Michael Wilson concelebrating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.