Dr. Alejandro Perez

Dr. Alejandro Perez, after a life filled with love of family and the love of learning, beloved educator and community pillar, passed away on October 10, 2024, at the age of 84. An adoring husband to his beautiful wife, Alma, a loving father who instilled the importance of education, a fiercely loyal son and brother, he leaves behind a legacy of learning, service, advocacy, loyalty, dedication, love, and laughter. Born in Laredo, Texas, on September 21, 1940, Alejandro grew up in the Azteca neighborhood, often playing in the river near his childhood home. He graduated from St. Augustine High School’s Class of 1959, as a “Forever Knight,” where he spent twelve formative years instilling in him Catholic values that he carried with him throughout his life. He was voted Class Favorite and was so fittingly described by the school nuns in his yearbook as impish and sagacious.

After graduating from high school, Alejandro pursued higher education, earning an Associate of Arts from Laredo Junior College in 1961 and a BS in Mathematics from Texas A&I University in Kingsville in 1963. His passion for teaching and nurturing young minds led him back to his alma mater, St. Augustine High School, as an educator for two years. Alejandro then took on the role of the first male teacher at Ursuline Academy at the High School in Laredo, Texas, paving the way for future generations.

In 1967, he was honored with a scholarship from the National Science Foundation that allowed him to earn his MS in Mathematics from the University of Utah. Always in pursuit of learning, he also took courses at Southwest Texas State College, The University of Texas, and participated in various institutes for mathematics teachers at Oberlin College, Illinois State University, and Princeton. His passion for knowledge spurred him onward, leading him to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where, as a scholarship recipient, earned a PhD in Educational Administration in Higher Education in 1977,

In 1968, answering his life’s calling, and with a passion for mathematics, Alejandro returned to his Laredo roots and devoted himself to teaching at Laredo Junior College/Laredo Community College for 46 years. Throughout his tenure, he inspired and advocated for countless students. Thoroughly devoted to his craft, he nurtured the minds of countless students until retiring as the longest serving Mathematics Professor, and one of the longest serving faculty members, at the college in 2014 at the age of 74. He took immense pride in his students' successes. He is often affectionately remembered for selflessly conducting, on a voluntary basis, free year-round math workshops for students preparing for the mathematics portion of the TASP examination.

During his storied career at the college, he served on endless committees, always advocating for Faculty and students. He is fondly remembered by his colleagues for infusing needed humor and bringing levity to the occasion. He is credited with assisting various colleagues and community members complete their PhD’s by working with them on the statistics portion of their dissertations. He served as Faculty Senate Parliamentarian and Senate Vice-President. In 1996, he was awarded the University of Texas NISOD for Teaching Excellence Award. This prestigious award is given to faculty who have made outstanding teaching and learning contributions at the college setting. In 2007, he was selected to score the College Board’s AP Examinations for statistics and was among “the best college educators in the US, Canada, and abroad.” He was also a past recipient of the School Bell Award and the Golden Apple Award. In his humility, he never boasted about any award. Instead, for him, his highest reward was running into former students that shared how he had played a vital role in reducing their anxiety in the area of mathematics and knowing it helped them become professionals in the community. 

Outside of the classroom, Alejandro was an avid golfer, a hobby in which he excelled. “Jando” played for over 50 years with three hole-in-ones to his name in the company of cherished friends. As a young man, he was a championship boxer, earning him an induction into the Laredo Pugilist Hall of Fame in 2012.

Alejandro is survived by his devoted family, who will miss him dearly: his beautiful wife of 57 years, Alma E. Alarcon de Perez. Together, they raised three children: Alejandro Perez, Jr., Alma Elida (Joe Lopez), and Rosa Carmen (Joe Gage, Jr.). Alejandro is also survived by his beloved sister Catalina P. Garza, brother Humberto Perez, brothers-in-law Oscar (Carmen) Alarcon and Dr. Eduardo (Paty) Alarcon, and his beloved and adored grandchildren: Soleil, Anais, and Jada Perez, Carisa and Alejandro Lopez, and Silke and Joe Gage, III, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends with whom he shared countless memories, laughter, and love.

Rest in peace, Alejandro. Your legacy and your work will forever live on in the hearts and minds you touched. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Rosa Benavides and Fidel Perez. Siblings; Segundo (Maria) Perez, Olga P. (Juan) Guerra, Edna P. (Rodolfo) Oliveira, Fidel (Alicia) Perez, Rosa Elena P. (Octavio) Guajardo, Juan (Angelina) Perez, Roque (Sara) Perez, sisters-in-law Sylvia A. (Dr. Francisco) Gordillo & Idalia Perez and brother-in-law Reynaldo Garza.

Pallbearers: Alejandro Perez Jr., Joseph A. Gage, Jose A. Lopez, Alejandro A. Lopez, and Joseph A Gage III.

Honorary Pallbearers: Adored grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews, colleagues, coffee-buddies, lifelong friends, and the St. Augustine class of 1959.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor his legacy for learning, the family humbly requests contributions be made to the scholarship funds established in his name ensuring that future generations will have the same opportunities he treasured so deeply.

Contributions may be made to: Laredo College Office of Development, C/O Dr. Alejandro Perez, West End Washington St. and/or to St. Augustine High School, ℅ Dr. Alejandro Perez, 1300 Galveston St.