J. Michael Perez

Dr. J. Michael “Mike” Perez, MD, FACS, a respected surgeon and avid fisherman, passed away at the age of 78 on January 5, 2026.

Born in Lafayette, Indiana, on December 9, 1947, to John and Martha Perez, Mike’s family later moved to Defiance, Ohio. A natural athlete, he excelled in football, wrestling, and baseball, graduating from Defiance High School in 1965.

His passion for learning led him to Miami (Ohio) University, where he joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and earned his degree in 1968. He then pursued his calling in medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, graduating in 1973. Dr. Perez completed his internship at Indiana University Hospitals in 1974 and went on to a residency at Clarian Indiana University Hospital, serving as Chief Resident in Urology in 1975.

In 1979, he married his beloved wife of 45 years, Nancy (nee Sanders). They began their life together in West Lafayette, where he served as a physician for both Home and St. Elizabeth hospitals as part of the Arnett Clinic. In 1985, the couple moved to Richmond, Indiana, where Dr. Perez joined the Urological Care, Inc., medical practice, and also began practicing at Reid Hospital, where he served patients all over Eastern Indiana for more than 25 years. He was instrumental in building Urological Care, Inc., into a flourishing medical practice where his patients knew him as a kind and caring physician and surgeon. After his retirement in 2010, he continued to work as a Locum physician, helping other urologists in smaller towns to be able to take vacations while he minded their practice.

Beyond his medical career, Mike had a zest for life and the great outdoors. He was an avid sportsman, known for his love of shooting sporting clays and, most notably, his passion for fishing. His angling adventures took him from the Northwest Territories of Canada to the Amazon River in Brazil, in pursuit of everything from Arctic Grayling to Peacock Bass. In recent years, he found joy casting his fly line in the beautiful river waters of Montana, Wyoming, Banff National Park in Canada, Siesta Key, and the Bahamas. Whether it was for trout, northern pike, tarpon or bonefish…he was happiest on the hunt for his next catch!

A lifelong athlete and sports fan, he played golf and baseball into his 60’s and found immense joy in coaching his daughter and granddaughter in softball. He was a diehard Purdue fan and attended as many football and basketball games as his busy schedule would allow, spending Saturdays in the fall at Ross-Ade Stadium with Nancy and friends cheering on the Boilermakers rain or shine. He and Nancy often traveled to cheer on the Boiler’s Men’s Basketball Team in Lafayette, Indianapolis or faraway places such as Hawaii.

Mike Perez was preceded in death by his parents, John and Martha Perez, and his mother-in-law, Lilian Sanders. He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Nancy L. Perez; his children: Scott M. (Kathy) Perez, Jennifer C. (Ken) Wicks, and Kelsey M. Perez; and his cherished granddaughters: Reese and Harper Perez, and Briella Smith.

In accordance with Mike’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held in Richmond, IN as well as Sarasota, FL, both at a later date. If you are so inclined, donations in Mike’s name may be made to Project Healing Waters which provides assistance to wounded veterans through the therapeutic art of fly fishing (https://projecthealingwaters.org/) or to Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, https://pages.lls.org/svoy/in/svoyIndiana26/hperez

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