Jerome "Jerry" Perez Obituary

Jerome "Jerry" Perez, passed away Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 85, in his home in Broadwater, Nebraska. A Rosary will be recited at 1 p.m., Thursday, July 31, 2025, followed by a Mass beginning at 1:30 p.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, located at 1102 12th Ave, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361, with Fr. Joseph Thambi as Celebrant. Guests are welcome to join the family for the procession and blessing at his final resting place at Fairview Cemetery, 4109 5th Avenue, Scottsbluff, after the Mass. A reception will follow at the Guadalupe Center located at 1200 East 9th Street in Scottsbluff. The Mass will be livestreamed and recorded to Jerry’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Jerry was one of eleven children to Domingo and Juanita (Rea) Perez. He began growing up in Scottsbluff at six months old. He was especially close to his father with one of his earliest memories being of following him in the field as crops were picked. Jerry was raised in a family that he believed had everything they needed even when they didn’t have much. They maintained their Mexican-American heritage, speaking primarily Spanish at home, but learning English and maintaining many cultural traditions. Raised in Catholicism, he was a parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe in his youth and continued to keep his faith in his heart throughout his life. Jerry attended the local schools and graduated in 1958.

Jerry married Della Estrada of Bridgeport in 1958. They moved to Denver where they raised their family of three girls: Jerri “Melinda”, Kelly, and Micki. At a young age, he proudly took on his role as a father. He stayed connected to family and friends in Nebraska, often returning for family get-togethers, weddings, local dances, and reunions. In Denver, he frequently took visiting family on drives in the mountains, enjoyed simple outings to the local park, played and coached softball, was a very good bowler, a Bronco fan, liked to travel, had collections of many items, and made special efforts to attend the grandkids’ events. Family was always very important to him.

Jerry was employed at the Martin Marietta Astronautics Company (a/k/a Lockheed-Martin) while in Denver. His brother referred him for hire where he started as a helper, trained as a Machinist, and was promoted to supervisor and management in Facilities Maintenance. Jerry woke early in the morning to drive to work at the Waterton facility and never seemed to lose that habit as an early riser. His schedule allowed him to be home for the girls after school as needed. He was proud to be part of an aerospace, family-friendly company that provided stability, benefits, and family activities. After enjoying a successful 41-year career, he retired.

Jerry and Della’s dream was to retire and return to Nebraska. After moving to Broadwater, they traveled between Nebraska and Colorado for many years to stay connected to family. However, nothing was more of a family event than the Fourth of July at their home when all the family returned with their trailers, including a large assortment of major fireworks, celebrating their birthdays, and including other family and friends as well. Jerry and Della celebrated over 66 years of marriage together.

His surviving immediate family includes Della; Jerri Coulter, Kelly and Mark Vigil, and Micki and Daryel Thompson; grandkids, Tina and Nick Wells, Marcus and Monica Vigil, Daniel and Jocelyn Coulter, and Jessie Thompson; and great grandkids, Mya, Markie, Roan, Jalyn, Nevaeh and baby Coulter due in August. Jerry’s surviving siblings include sister, Margaret Rosas of Omaha, NE; brothers, Pete and Nancy Perez of Denver, CO and Richard and Kathy Perez of Hood, CA; and sister-in-law, Vicki Perez of El Paso, TX. Additionally, he is survived by many extended family members and friends who will fondly remember him.

Preceding him in death were his parents; son-in-law, James Eric Coulter; brothers, John and Paula, Crispin and Mary, Joe and Lupe, and Julian; and sisters, Eleanor and Joe Guzman, Macaria and Jerry Geshwender, and Jenny and Victor Rosas; brother-in-law, Manual Rosas; and sister-in-law, Conchita Perez. From the Estrada family, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Benjamin and Rose; brothers-in-law, Richard, Daniel (Tix), Frank, Ferman, Donald, and Dwaine; and sisters-in-law, Ruth Cruz and Berniece Franco. Please know that Jerry thought the world of all family and friends.