Louis Frank Perez

Louis Frank Perez, 97, of Battle Creek died at Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Louie is resting and in the hands of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Louis was born January 14, 1919 in Calabasas, Arizona to Fernando B. and Rosa (Peralta) Perez, one of 18 children. He grew up in Tempe, Arizona and California. He was a stone mason by trade. He joined the U.S. Army in 1940, took his basic training at Camp Grant, IL. After basics, he came to Ft. Custer Station Hospital. While there, he took courses in medical and surgical studies under the direction of Major L.C. Askwig, Medical Corp. instructor. This training led him to be put in charge of major and minor surgery, X-ray and the Central Supply Department. Louis was assigned 15 men and women to work in these various departments. He trained them in First Aid and CPR, preparing them for overseas duty. Louis was also an English/Spanish interpreter. While in the OR, he worked with some of the finest doctors and nurses, many of who never came back … but together they were like one big happy family. Louis then applied for Civil Service duty. The Army was good to him because they put him in charge of the same job, in the same department at Ft. Custer that he had as a soldier, which included caring for the German Prisoners of War. After that, Louis worked one year at Leila Hospital. Louis managed his own TV and radio repair shop, which was very interesting and challenging, especially when color TVs came out and required additional training. In the late 1940's he formed his own landscaping business; and his crew of 16 men landscaped many homes around Goguac Lake. He also worked at Oliver's 15 years; and at Clark Equipment Company in the Fork Lift Division for 18 years, retiring as an inspector.

He married his first wife, Myrtle Ellis Oversmith at the chapel in the Gardens in Angola, IN. She had one daughter, Loretta. Together they had a daughter, Mary Shipman. Louis married Gladys Johnson on May 24, 1970 at Lakeview Baptist Church. Gladys preceded him in death on November 25, 1997.

Surviving are his sister and brother-in-law, Molly P. and Fred Lama of Tempe, AZ; his stepdaughter, Loretta Tuck of Kewadin, MI; five grandchildren: 12 great-grandchildren; nephews & nieces, Lorin (Julie) Oversmith, Marlyne (Ken) Groves, Mary Ann (Chuck) Cook, Patricia Paul, all of Battle Creek; and numerous great nieces & nephews and their families.

Louis was also preceded in death by his daughter; Mary Louise Shipman; his parents; and 16 brothers and sisters.

Louis joined Lakeview Baptist Church on January 11, 1953, and was a member 63 year member of the church, where he served as a Deacon and loved his church family. Louis was a very good Christian and had read and studied the Bible cover to cover several times. He loved going to church and prayed for everyone. Louis enjoyed music, playing guitar and harmonica, singing, dancing and photography. He was a flower gardener, loved interacting with people, was sentimental and caring, and had a warm engaging smile. Louie was well loved and cared for at the B.C. V.A. Medical Center. He loved his nieces and nephews, who helped with all his needs, and Louie asked God to bless them forever.

Friends will be received 12:00 noon – 12:45 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2016 at Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. The visitation will be followed by a brief prayer at the funeral home and procession to Ft. Custer National Cemetery for military honors by the Ft. Custer and U.S. Army Honor Guards at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2016.

Memorial contributions in memory of Louis may be made to BCVA Medical Center Community & Volunteer Services, for "Veteran's Personal Care Items", 5500 Armstrong, Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.