Deacon Miguel “Mike” G. Perez, Jr.

A Life of Faith, Courage, Family, and Service

NATALIA, TEXAS — Deacon Miguel “Mike” Perez, Jr. (“Papo”), a devoted servant of God, courageous civil rights advocate, and beloved patriarch, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2026, surrounded by his family. He lived a vibrant, purposeful life rooted deeply in his Catholic faith, hard work, and an unshakeable commitment to human dignity and educational advancement.

Civil Rights & Justice

Born and raised in Natalia where he attended public schools during an era of segregation, Mike learned to stand firm for dignity. Riding a segregated school bus at age 9, he was ordered by the driver to move to the back seats designated for Hispanic students. Mike refused to move in a quiet act of bravery supported by the school principal; foreshadowing a lifetime of civil rights advocacy.

Later, while serving as head custodian at Roosevelt High School and East Terrell Hills Elementary, Mike organized 200 custodians across Northeast ISD. Speaking before the school board alongside supportive teachers, he successfully led the effort to win fair wages ($1.25 an hour), overtime pay, uniforms, healthcare, and paid vacation for his fellow workers.

In 1966, Mike and his wife Adelina joined the farmworkers' march from San Antonio to Austin along Interstate 35. They carried their young daughters and held high a banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When Governor John Connally’s limousine stopped the marchers outside New Braunfels, Mike and his fellow workers marched on. One of the civil rights leaders shared guidance that became his lifelong guiding principle:

“Mr. Perez, educate your kids. Educate your kids. That's the key... to be somebody in America. Educate your kids. We need more Hispanics to get educated to be lawyers, politicians, engineers, doctors, technicians, or whatsoever.”

Taking this message to heart, Mike ensured his three daughters attended Catholic schools and obtained a higher education.

Family, Labor & Enterprise

Mike met the love of his life, Adelina “Mamo” Perez, at a local dance, beginning a beautiful courtship that led to their marriage in 1956. In their early years, they traveled as farmworkers across West Texas, Colorado, Montana, and Iowa. They harvested cotton, sugar beets, and tomatoes, forging lifelong friendships along the way. When Adelina became pregnant with their first child, they returned to Natalia to find traditional work as they sought to prioritize the children’s education. He earned his GED after marriage, owned and operated a janitorial business, an antique shop, and Squeak’s convenience store in Floresville.

Ministry

In 1962, Mike attended his first Cursillo Retreat, which inspired him to pray the Rosary and attend Holy Mass daily. Seeking spiritual clarity, he took his family on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, kneeling at the altar to pray for a sign.

In 1986, Father Paul Razz invited him to enter the seminary to discern the diaconate, answering Mike’s prayers to Our Lady of Guadalupe. On September 9, 1991, he was ordained a Deacon in the Catholic Church.

For 38 years, Deacon Mike dedicated his ministry to prisons and nursing homes, bringing spiritual comfort, Catholic teaching, and Holy Communion to incarcerated individuals and elderly residents. For 15 years, he served faithfully at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Floresville—working alongside the Guadalupana Society, the Cursillo movement, and ACTS retreats. He also taught Bible and Catechism classes.

In 2006, Deacon Mike and Adelina returned to their roots in the Natalia and Devine area. He served congregations at St. Joseph in Devine, St. Augustine Catholic Church in Moore and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Bigfoot.

Family & Legacy

Deacon Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Miguel and Casimira Perez, his beloved wife of over six decades, Adelina Perez and his siblings, Alvina, Ciriaco, and Jose. He is survived by his loving daughters, Sonia Perez (Javier), Liza White (Jim), and Debbie Perez; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and his sister Petra Tibball (Joseph). Deacon Mike will be remembered as a faithful servant of God and a cherished patriarch whose legacy of faith and love continues to inspire his Catholic community.

Celebration of Life

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, with a Rosary recited at 6:00 PM at Primrose Funeral Services of Devine, Texas. Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Devine, Texas, with interment to follow in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery. 

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