David Michael Perea

David Perea passed away suddenly on September 10, 2023 in Las Vegas.  He was 43.

Dave will be missed every day by his mother, Darlene Nolasco, his father and stepmother Frank and Pam Perea, his brother and sister-in-law Vincent and Stephanie Perea, his brothers Jimmy McClaine and Justin Dobbs, his sister Mandy Perea, his loving aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends.

Dave was born and raised in Los Angeles.  He graduated from Don Bosco Tech High School and from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts where he studied Screenwriting.

In 2014, Dave experienced a serious medical emergency and was placed into a medically induced coma for a month.  Thanks to his amazing doctors, he miraculously survived it. Dave boldly faced serious rehabilitation, with tremendous support from his Mom, to relearn how to walk, talk, and regain his cognitive skills.  

Despite these medical challenges, Dave was determined to live life to the fullest and went on to pursue a musical career after receiving harmonica lessons as a gift from his Dad. Dave surprised us all by joining a blues band which later changed its name to “Big Dave and the Dirty Liars” with Dave serving as the front man and lead singer.

Dave’s love of music blossomed further and he went on to start up his own band with his brother Vincent Perea on drums and Alejandro Speranza on guitar.  “Donkey Island Penitentiary” featured this band of brothers as imaginary escaped convicts.  The band’s original rock & roll songs were inspired by the surreal dreams Dave experienced during his coma.  Dave described the band’s sounds as “garage, punk and science fiction, filtered through the blues.”  The band’s videos and music can be found on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and other outlets.

To say Dave was one of a kind is an understatement.  He was more like a force of nature, barreling into any room with a huge laugh, big hugs, and many stories to share.  He was profoundly loved and will be missed by all who knew him in his brief time in this dimension.

A memorial to celebrate Dave’s life will be held on in Southern California on October 21st at Courtyard Marriott Monterey Park, CA at 3pm