Cesar Antonio Pabon-Perez, originally of Lajas, Puerto Rico, passed away peacefully at the age of 98 on September 12, 2026, in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on September 24, 2026, at Royer Funeral Home, 100 Royer Lane, Grain Valley, MO, with a visitation beginning at 12:00 PM. Burial services with Full Military Honors will follow at 3:00 PM at the Higginsville Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cesar Pabon Memorial Fund via GoFundMe. Donations will help support the family with memorial expenses and assist in holding a final service at Cesar’s childhood home in Lajas, Puerto Rico. There, surrounded by surviving siblings and family unable to travel to Missouri, his family will lay a lock of his hair to rest.

A Life of Military Service & Valor

Born on February 23, 1928, in Barrio Paris, Lajas, Puerto Rico, Cesar was the devoted son of Desiderio Pabon and Monserrate Perez. At just 15 years old, he moved to San Juan to work and help support his parents and six younger siblings. Called to serve in the U.S. Army at age 18, Cesar served honorably during the Korean War (1951–1952) as a private in the 65th Infantry Regiment—famously known as the “Borinqueneers”. The Borinqueneers stand as the largest, longest-standing, and only active-duty segregated Latino military unit in U.S. history.

For extraordinary valor displayed during the Korean War, the unit received national recognition with the Congressional Gold Medal. Cesar was personally presented with his Congressional Gold Medal during a historic ceremony at the Castillo de San Felipe del Morro in San Juan on April 27, 2016. His military honors also include the Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. In 2017, Cesar traveled back to South Korea, where he was awarded the Ambassador of Peace Medal by the Korean government in deep gratitude for his sacrifice.

A Wrestling Legend

Upon returning from military service, Cesar earned a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from the Catholic University of Ponce, P.R., and spent time working in the public school system. Beyond academia, he became an iconic figure in Puerto Rican sports entertainment, celebrated as "El Superman de Puerto Rico" and hosting a televised show showcasing extraordinary feats of strength.

During his professional wrestling career with the American Wrestling Association (AWA) throughout the 1970s, Cesar shared the ring with a roster of legendary main-event talent and future Hall of Famers. On AWA broadcasts, he squared off against icons such as AWA World Heavyweight Champions Verne Gagne and Nick Bockwinkel, Superstar Billy Graham, Dusty Rhodes, Baron von Raschke, Jesse Ventura, Mad Dog Vachon, The Iron Sheik, Pat Patterson, Dr. X, Ivan Koloff, Dick “The Bruiser”, Moose Morowski, The Super Destroyer Mark III, and Sheik Adnan Al-Kassi. He continued his ring career into the 1980s with WWA Superstars of Wrestling, leaving behind a colorful athletic legacy preserved today across Facebook, YouTube, and CAGEMATCH.net. In a testament to his lifelong passion and spirit, Cesar wrestled his final match on the front steps of the United Community Center at the age of 75.

A Dedicated Community Servant

Cesar was widely recognized as a pillar of the Puerto Rican community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a dedicated mentor to generations of young people. Recruited from Puerto Rico in 1969 to direct the athletic programs at "The Spot," he dedicated his days to keeping at-risk youth engaged, active, and safe.

Following a destructive fire at "The Spot," Cesar co-founded the United Community Center (UCC) to provide vital social, athletic, and educational resources for Milwaukee's Latino community. He led the center's athletic programs for 35 years before retiring as Associate Director. In recognition of his enduring impact, the center established the UCC-Cesar Pabon Fitness Center, where Cesar remained active well into retirement as a volunteer designing specialized exercise programs for seniors up until the age of 95 95. His vision, compassion, and boundless energy leave a legacy that continues to touch lives daily.

A Loving Father & Family Legacy

To his children, who affectionately called him "Papi," Cesar was a deeply loving, patient, and guiding presence. He raised them with kindness and respect while instilling a strong work ethic, discipline, and empathy for others. Papi frequently shared his dream of living to 100 years old; his family takes comfort and immense joy in how close he came. We are forever grateful and blessed for his decades of love, wisdom, and strength.

Cesar was preceded in death by his parents, Desiderio and Monserrate, and his siblings Gloria Pabon, Adalberto (Felix) Pabon, and Feliberto (Pito) Pabon.

He is survived by his siblings Edwin Pabon, Silvia Pabon, and Helwin Pabon; his former wives, Maria Pagan-Lopez and Alba Pabon; his four children, Maria Pabon, Tony Pabon, Nitzie Pabon, and Julio Pabon; twelve grandchildren, IdaMarie, Joel, Tonito, Edward, Gabriel, Manolo, Ibrahim, Isabella, Ivelisse, Javier, Gloria, and Omi; twelve great-grandchildren, Carlos, Emmanuel, Alaia, Aiden, Grace, Joyce, Edrielis, Elaisa, Izek, Eli, Emilie, and Mateo; and two great-great-grandchildren, River and Wren.