Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Rafael Eugene Perez of North Bonneville, Wash., passed away Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Stevenson, Wash. He was 45 years old.
Eugene was born Jan. 21, 1973, in Toppenish, Wash., to Clarabel Guzman and Rafael Perez. He was one of three children on his mother’s side; sister, Sunshine DeLeon and brother Nick DeLeon.
He grew up and spent most of his life in the Gorge, residing in The Dalles, Ore., Dallesport, Wash., Mosier, Ore., Bend, Ore., and most recently in North Bonneville.
Eugene graduated from Wahtonka High School in The Dalles in 1991, where he was a multiple year letterman in football and basketball. He continued his education with an Associate of Science Degree from Portland Community College and then went on to ITT Technical Institute, specializing in Information Technology and Computer Networking Systems. Eugene worked as a consultant responsible for the implementation and installation of the EPIC software Electronic Medical Records. This took him to many hospitals and clinics across the United States.
He was also working toward becoming certified in project management. Prior to working in information technology, he worked as a chef at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Wash.
He loved to play and was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed cycling, mountain and dirt biking, kayaking, snowboarding, skiing, and hiking. One of his proudest accomplishments was when he summited Mount Hood. Many photos of his adventures can be found on his Facebook page.
Eugene is survived by his mother, Clara DeLeon, and dad, Diego Leon; father, Rafael; brother, Nicholas (Kelly) DeLeon; nephews, Rylan and Styles DeLeon; brother, Brian Leon (Tia, Julia, Anna); sister, Nina Leon (Alexi, Tayler); aunts Elvia Gonzalez (Andy) and Cynthia Guzman Berry (Charles); uncles, Roye Guzman (Patty), Jaime Guzman, Frank Guzman (Lisa), Joe Guzman (Maggie), Roger Guzman (Lisa); numerous generations of cousins from his mother’s side; aunts, Hortencia, Alice, and Mary; uncles, Eddie, Juan, Joe, Rudy, Danny, Ernie, and Fabian on his father’s side.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Sunshine DeLeon; grandparents, Thomas and Maria Guzman and Carmen and Aurora Perez; uncle, Regulo Guzman; and Aunt Margaret Guzman.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to your local motorcycle safety and training organization or Team Oregon Training Support Unit c/o Anderson’s Tribute Center 1401 Belmont Ave Hood River, Ore., 97031.
Visit www.Andersons TributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
