Peter Rodney Perez Donnelly

Sgt. Peter Rodney Perez- Donnelly,​Vietnam Veteran, US Marine Corps of Houston, TX, passed away on Good Friday, April 10,2020, at the age of 74 from a massive heart attack at Methodist Hospital.He was hospitalized at SW Memorial from March 24 and after 24 hours of  his minimal Tracheotomy Surgery, he was moved to Medical Resort Sugarland Facility where he had another attack.

Peter Rodney​ was born in ​New York City,New York​ on May 11,1945. His parents were Pedro Rafael Perez of Havana ,Cuba and Gabrielle Donnelly of Newfoundland. He attended his preschool years at Baldor Academy, Havana,Cuba , elementary schools at Nativity School,Washington,DC, High School years at St. John’s College,Washington DC,and Christian Brothers College in Memphis Tennessee.He pursued his college at Miami Dade College. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in History emphasis on Sociology,Social Science,Psychology,and Anthropology, Major in Education and Social Science  at Florida International University, Miami Florida from 1969-1973.

His Military Experience in the US Marine Corps​ from November 19,1964 to November 18,1968, in Vietnam as Corporal and as a Sergeant assumed his duties as a Warehouseman, Nuclear and Biological Chemical Warfare Specialist and Instructor. He had four years of security and patrol experienced. He was a Spanish interpreter for five months while stationed in Spain and Mediterranean areas.​ He was awarded the Following: Good Conduct Medal Period Commences Nov.19,1967. National Defense Service Medal,Vietnamese Service Medal with One Star, Vietnamese Campaign Medal with Device, and Presidential Unit Citation (1967-1968). ​He lived in Houston ,TX since 1982 and retired as a Correctional Officer at Texas Department Of Criminal Justice in 1994. He also joined the Houston Independent School District as an Elementary Teacher in 1997-1998.

Peter Rodney ​had lived and traveled​ in Spain.Italy Malta,Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Singapore, Vietnam, The Philippines, and all of the United States. He loved to lift weights since he was 22 years old. His passion in writing led him to publish a children's book “Back to Rattan”, A Bamboo Tale with the theme about Friendship. He loved music and his favorite singer was Elvis Presley.  He was an active member of the American Legion, The American Association of Retired Persons, The Knights of Columbus,and Lions District 2 of Houston,TX. He was an active parishioner of Notre Dame Catholic Church since 1984. He was very charitable that he wouldn't forget to contribute to the RNC.  With his computer skills,he always made correspondences to Michael Ramirez a two time Pulitzer Prize winner Cartoonist, and other famous local TV hosts through his emails.
 
 
Peter Rodney​ is survived by his wife of 37 years Julita Aniceta Perez a retired ​HISD​ school teacher from Binan City, Philippines. They were married in San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church ,Binan City,Philippines on April 9,1983. His children Peter Emet, Justin Rodney, Maria Teresa Raquel, grandchildren Emmanuel Lucas,Olivia Rose,and Riley Eva,his sister Yolanda Short (daughter Erika), Cousins Ana Maria Helft Lucas (Bill and children Carmen Elise, William Alexander from Virginia); Alejandro Perez (Michele Todero and children Stefanie, Elizabeth, Stephen,Victoria,from Weston,Florida);Raul Perez , (Lisa and children Elise,Ashley,Sarah from New Smyrna Beach ,Florida); Caridad Perez Frias (George and children Janessa and Jackie from Miami Florida); Christie Kessler and Joey Kessler from Miami Florida.

Peter Rodney ​had been predeceased by his father, Pedro Rafael Perez a Diplomat and Spanish Radio Announcer of Westwego, La , his mother Gabrielle Donnelly of Newfoundland, Grandparents Casimiro and Carmen Perez;Aunt Raquel Perez Helft (as his second mother) and Uncle Karl Helft, Uncle Raul  and Ysabel Perez, Aunt Yolanda and Donald Kesslerand, Aunt Sister Mary Donnelly of Canada.

Peter Rodney ​is a loving and very religious husband,a friend, a great father to his children and grandchildren, a wonderful man with a big heart who loved his family, God, and Country.  As his children and grandchildren grew, he was very active in their lives. He took them to their soccer, baseball, basketball, karate, martial arts, and swimming lessons. He was a kind ,thoughtful, and generous man who was always willing to do anything for others.Family and friends are comforted in knowing that ​Peter Rodney Perez-Donnelly ​joined our Creator eternally on Good Friday,when Jesus said: ​“Today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

A Memorial Mass ​will be held on ​Monday, May 11,2020 at 11:00 am​ in Notre Dame Catholic Church, Houston,TX. ​Public Viewing at Unity Funeral Home​ ,Houston, TX from​ 3:00 pm to 6:00pm​on ​May 11,2020,  Private burial​ will be on​ May 12,2020​ at 10:00 am. at Houston National Cemetery,Veterans Memorial Drive.
 
                                                                                                 

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked if anyone would like to make a donation to:

Notre Dame Catholic Church, 7720 Boone Rd., Houston, Texas   77072    PHONE:  (281) 498-4653

Reminder : Due to some restrictions everyone must wear a mask in the church and funeral home.    We will also observe space distancing as well
 
 

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