Rafael Perez

Rafael C. Perez passed away on April 18, 2021 in Waxahachie, Texas.

He was born in Doctor Arroyo, Nuevo Leon on May 26, 1942 and came to the U.S. at 6 months old. He obtained his G.E.D. and then his Refrigeration Mechanical vocational degree from Texas State Technical Institute in Harlingen, Texas on July 12, 1972. His desire to enter into this industry derived from his incredible mechanically inclined mindset and inclination to diagnose and repair problems. We remember him staring at the broken product and then seeing him fix it with his hands and tools - that left us kids in awe always. In 1974 he along with our mother were saved through a revival tent led by his father in Christ, Evangelist Jose F. Garza when he came to Santa Rosa, Texas where he spent his childhood, teenage years up until early adulthood. And just a few years later he followed his own calling into the ministry himself full-time as his new passion for preaching to the lost overtook his life. In 1979 he was ordained minister in the The Church of God of the Firstborn and pastored the church in Vernon, Texas from 1987-1998 and started the church in Dallas, Texas in 1998 where he was pastor until his passing. He desired nothing more than to see the gospel furthered and for Christ’s Kingdom to grow.

Minister Rafael Perez is preceded in death by his parents, father Epigmenio Perez and mother Matilde Cervantes, one sister and his baby and youngest daughter, Marissa Perez. He constantly mentioned of one day joining her in heaven and now he is with her. He is survived by his wife, the love of his life for 56 years, Aurora S. Perez of Dallas, TX his daughter, Annabelle Bonilla and her husband Ricardo Bonilla, of Waxahachie, TX, his oldest son Rafael Orlando Perez of Dallas, TX and his youngest son, Edward Perez of McKinney, TX. He had four grandchildren, Larissa Lynn Villanueva, Britney Martika Bonilla, Trevor Austen Perez, and Brandon Ricardo Bonilla and numerous brothers and sisters. He also had the incredible pleasure of enjoying four great-grand kids whom all are children of Travis and Larissa Lynn Villanueva. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his passion and energy for living in his later years, he adored them so much. We love you so much dad and you will be missed but heaven has gained another angel that God wanted there with him.