Ricardo Pérez Jr.

Ricardo Perez Jr., 39, passed away Wednesday, February 11, at Valley Regional Hospital in Brownsville, Texas, where he and his wife, Sarah, have lived for the past eight years.

The family will receive visitors Monday, February 16, from 5 – 8 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78528.

Ricardo and Sarah moved to Brownsville from Richmond, Kentucky , and he became involved with the local community through his creative work and hobbies in crafts and collecting. He was always thinking about something new to create and brought joy to many with his creations and thoughtful gifts.

He often could be seen with his hand-made crafts at community fairs and events. He was a fixture in the card community and was always there to help people and introduce them to new games and ideas. He was never too busy for his friends and would do anything he could to help someone.

He is described by friends as a “helper always there for anyone who needed help of any kind  – from computer malfunctions to household chores to arranging fundraisers for friends in need. He was a real fix-it man with special skills and was such a bright light and a great soul.”  He spread joy and love wherever he went, and friends from around the world have been saddened by his passing.

He was known as a “kind and generous person who always found a way to make people smile, no matter what he was going through himself.  He was generous with his time and his heart, and he never hesitated to help someone in need.”

Ricardo enjoyed being a Texan and had a collection of Texas-themed fishing shirts. He also took great pleasure in decorating the house and wearing costumes to celebrate Christmas and Halloween.  At Christmas, he would show up on the doorsteps of friends wearing Santa hats and outfits with sacks of cookies and fudge that he and Sarah had made. He even made special fudge for diabetics.

His greatest joy was the love of his wife and animals. The two of them went on many adventures and always supported one another. This was a great love story, and he will be missed terribly and loved for eternity.

Ricardo was born on November 7, 1986, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Suzy and Ricardo Perez Sr. and spent his childhood in both Warsaw, Indiana, and Richmond, Kentucky.  He attended schools in Richmond, Kentucky, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was a certified pharmacy technician and enjoyed his work until he became disabled.

In addition to Sarah of Brownsville, Ricardo is survived by his mother, Suzy Adkins of Waco, Kentucky; a brother, Robert Perez (Liz Perez) of Waco, Kentucky; and many cousins, aunts, and uncles, and his beloved pets Wilf, Star, and Nacho.

He was predeceased by his father, Ricardo Perez Sr., both sets of grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to the family at gofundme.com.

Services are under the guidance of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Flower Shop. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. (956) 350-8485