Arthur Perez

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Arthur Perez, 96, of Spanish Fort, Alabama, passed away at home surrounded by family and friends on Nov. 16, 2019.

He was born June 3, 1923 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of late Adrianna Vallado de Garcia and Anthony (AJ or Tony) Perez. On April 12, 1950, he married Zoanne Hazen. They were married for 67 years.

Art graduated from St. Stanislaus High School in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi in 1942 and attended Tulane University before entering the navy to become a pilot in the WWII effort.

Upon the end of WWII, Art moved to Michigan where he was employed in refrigeration by Brunswick Corp., then Tyler Refrigeration.

He worked his way up from service department mechanic to head of engineering and finally corporate vice president with ownership. During his 30-year employment at Tyler, he was involved in research and development and was credited with 50 patents.

He also began designing homes and assisted in the design and construction of Orchard Hills Country Club clubhouse in Buchanan, Michigan after the original burned and Fernwood Nature Center reception building (also in Buchanan, Michigan).

After retiring, he began new careers as a developer of the first Planned Urban Development (PUD) in Michigan, (White Oaks Development in Buchanan) and as an international consultant in refrigeration.

Throughout his life he dedicated his time and talents to service. He was an active member of Rotary Club for more than 50 years, serving as an officer many times, Ancient Aviators (Gulf Shores, Alabama), Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and a docent at the National Naval Air Museum in Pensacola.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Zoanne; brother, Louis E. Perez of New Orleans and Mandeville, Louisiana; and survived by his sister, Carmen Lombardino (Robert) of Picayune, Mississippi. He is also survived by his son, Edward Perez (Delia) of New Orleans, Louisiana; daughter, Marta Coward-Glunt (Tom) of Gulf Shores, Alabama; and five grandchildren, Ryan Coward (Kate Wilson) of Denver, Colorado, Brycen Coward (Mari Gottlieb) of Boulder, Colorado, Jennifer Perez McSpadden (Garrett) of Reno, Nevada, Peyton and Preston Perez of New Orleans; and four great-grandchildren.

A service will be held in Gulf Shores, Alabama at Gulf Shores United Methodist Church on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 11:30 a.m.

Interment will be at Hope Mausoleum in New Orleans, Louisiana at a later date.