Pastor Manuel Perez

Pastor Manuel Pena Pérez, age 73, of Ulysses, Kansas, died Saturday, September 8, 2018, at his home. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, on August 30, 1945, the son of Manuel Mendez Perez and Flora Pena Perez, both have passed away. His brothers were Teresa, Nena, John, Annlee, Jerry, and Dina. They settled in Brownsville, Texas, where he graduated High School and entered the United States Army on July 1, 1964, and was honorably discharged on June 14, 1967. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in a Methodist Church during his childhood, and he preached his first message at age 18 to the youth group in the Baptist Church. He met the beautiful Miss Elizabeth Ponce Cortez. There he formalized his courtship and joined religious matrimony on September 16, 1968. From this union were born his daughters: Sandra Reyes, Sara Silva, and Flora Velardes. He completed his ecclesiastical studies, and began his biblical studies at the Biblical Institute of San Antonio, Texas, and graduated in 1975 at Wayland Baptist University. In January of 1975, he began to Pastor in the Primera Iglesia Bautista in Ulysses, Kansas, finishing his ministry on September 8, 2018. Manuel had a fruitful ministry of 43 years of service and one of his dreams fulfilled; the construction of the auditorium and the establishment of the Radio station KQUI 100.3 L.P. In this period, he also worked as a bus driver at USD 214 for 41 years and received recognition on May 22, 2018.

He is survived by five brothers, three daughters, and 11 grandchildren.

Manuel is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and wife, Elizabeth, on August 24, 2017.

His favorite hymn: “He Who Lives in the Shelter of God”. The text that strengthened him: “I have prayed to the Lord, remove the thorn of my flesh and God said to me: My grace is enough for you: Because my power is perfected in weakness. He said I will most gladly boast in my weaknesses, so the power of Christ may reside in me. “(2 Cor 12: 7-9)

“See you soon! Manuel Pena Perez, we will join the call of the Lord, you will be one of the first to resurrect along with your wife and we will follow.”

Funeral service will be Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at 11:00 AM at Oasis Church in Ulysses, with Pastor Eloy Felan officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM with worship at 7:00 PM and Tuesday from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM and worship at 7:00 PM at Primera Iglesia Bautista. Interment will follow at Ulysses Cemetery with military rites by Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79. Memorial contributions may be given to radio station KQUI 100.3 L.P. in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.