Thankful

This Thanksgiving was bittersweet. It was nice to see loved ones, but we missed those who are no longer with us.

Dustin, the boys and I did our usual Yoakum whirlwind. We started the morning off with a stop at Granny Ehlers' house. We got to visit with all of the many families from the Brandl side of the family. The boys played with a couple young cousins, Weston and Greta. We ate a little bit there and then headed to our next stop. We went to Poppy and DeDe's house next. We visited with the Wyatt and Hitchcock relatives, and the boys played with 3rd cousin Victoria. We then made one quick detour to the nursing home to see Granny Hahn on our way to our last stop of the night, for the Perez family Thanksgiving. The boys had a blast with cousin Isaiah, and we had our second turkey meal of the day. We bathed the boys and headed home after 9pm. It was a very full day!

During the car ride, we all took turns saying what we were thankful for. I of course said Dustin and the boys. I am thankful for so much, but they are my life. What are you thankful for this season?

Here is what Southern wrote at school

Grandpa

Antonio "Tony" Perez
July 5, 1932 - November 1, 2015

Grandpa, we will miss you dearly.

I have so many good memories from sitting on your kitchen counter as a baby and you teasing me by sticking a piece of paper between my toes, watching me laugh, pulling it out and doing it again... to you watching my babies play and wrestle and laugh around you in your living room.

You were always taking pictures, and one of my most treasured things today, a video tape of my 1st birthday party, was filmed by you. You took our extended family to the beach every year. You always had awesome speeches. You were so full of wisdom, and I loved it when you shared your advice with us. You always had great jokes. My favorite:

A Mexican was trying to cross the border into the U.S. An officer stopped him, and the guy told the officer that he was an American so he should let him pass. The officer said, "Okay, if you are an American, make a sentence in English using these words - green, pink, and yellow." The Mexican said, "That's easy. The phone green. I pink it up and say yellow."

And you said it with the perfect accent and with a big grin on your face.

You taught me how to fold a dollar bill into a shirt. You taught me how to draw the perfect Nativity star.

When I was away at college and visiting Yoakum, you would ask how my "Cadillac" was running. You always gave me a big hug and a kiss when you greeted me.

My youngest son is named after you.

You were a really special person. I have so much respect for you. You gave me many cherished memories, and I know you touched so many lives with your positive impact. I am honored to be your granddaughter.

ANTONIO 'TONY' PEREZ

YOAKUM - Antonio 'Tony' Perez, age 83, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2015.

He was born July 5, 1932 in Wharton to Thomas and Maria Hernandez Ochoa Perez.

He was retired from TX Dot after 39 years of service. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a former city council member. His family knew him for being a jokester and loved their annual family vacations at Port Aransas.

Survivors are his wife of 62 years, Eva Perez; daughters, Elizabeth Perez of Round Rock, Teresa Faust (Josh) of Yoakum, Susan Elizondo (Sammy) of Yoakum and Patricia Grahmann (Michael Munguia) of Yoakum; son, Michael Perez of Yoakum; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; sisters, Angie Perez of Stafford and Rosa Villarreal of Houston; brother Jesse Perez of Houston.

Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Thomas Perez II, Pete Perez and Viviano Perez.

Rosary 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Thiele Cooper Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., Thursday, November 5, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Matthew Huehlefeld officiating. Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetary.

Memorials may be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church.

On-line guestbook may be signed at www.thielecooper.com

Arrangements by Thiele Cooper Funeral Home, 361-293-5656.

Turn off the lights... the party's over.