The last photo taken of 46-year-old Lorenzo Perez shows the father of five spending Memorial Day fishing with his family on the banks of the rushing Puyallup River.
"We were just having fun, doing our family thing," said Santa Perez, Lorenzo's wife.
Santa is now left with nearly three decades of family memories of a husband, father and a grandfather whose reputation for his strong faith love and generosity was widely known.
"Lorenzo is an awesome amazing husband, father, hardworking loving contributor to people in need, said Santa, adding that her husband would often find people in need and spend time or loan money to them, and would not ask for anything in return. "He was always there, ready," she said.
But Santa says no one was ready for the punishing cold, rushing current of the Puyallup River when Lorenzo lost his footing on the river's bank Monday afternoon.
"The mud just gave out on him and his foot (slipped) so he landed on his back," Santa said. "Then I heard 'help,' and I ran down and tried to do what I could do."
Lorenzo, who had limited swimming skills, was swept away by the current. Two women and two men jumped in the water to save Lorenzo, but they say he went under before they could reach him.
"I don't want to believe he's gone. Not yet at least," Santa said.
Search and rescue workers spent days looking for any sign of Lorenzo but he has not been found.
His family asks people along the Puyallup to keep an eye out. They say finding him would be a blessing.
"God took a wonderful man away from us," said Santa. "But I'm OK with His will."
A
account has been created called the "Lorenzo Perez Search and Rescue Fund."
Cox Media Group
