It is with a heavy heart that I'm sitting here struggling to find the exact words to say. In reality, there are no words that could fathom the amount of pain my family and I have had to endure in the last 48 hours. I am going to try my best to keep this short and gather the words to proudly, honorably, and humbly portray even half the man my baby brother was.
On April 30, 1992, my brother, Thomas Eddie Perez Jr. (TJ), blessed our lives and this world. TJ graduated from Radford High School in Hawaii. He joined the United States Army to serve our country with strength and honor. My brother deployed to Afghanistan and completed his tour of service.
After his service, TJ settled down in Hawaii. He accomplished many professions such as becoming a barber, a massage therapist and he began going to school to become a Respiratory Therapist.
TJ was one of a kind. His smile and laugh was contagious. He dreamed big and lived a life full of adventure. He was the toughest, most caring, badass person I knew. He lived his life making those around him laugh and thrived off seeing everyone happy. My brother was always full of energy and always wanting more out of life.
After proudly serving his country, deploying to Afghanistan, my brother came home. With invisible wounds, he came home safely, but he was never the same.
Sadly, Thomas was called to eternal rest after losing a relentless battle to PTSD on October 2, 2020. He leaves behind a beautiful, sweet baby girl named Hope and a family that loves him unconditionally, beyond eternity. Our family will never be the same.
I know many of you have been reaching out asking how you can help especially those who are so far away. Please know my family and I truly appreciate your thoughts, prayers and support during these extremely impossible and unbearable times. Your kind words, thoughts and prayers will not go unnoticed.
Your contributions will be used to offset funeral services/arrangements, the cost of family members flights, funeral meals and housing accommodations for family members flying in from off island.
**Any & all unused/extra funds will go to his daughter, Hope**