Pedro Cerca-Romero

Pedro Cerca-Romero, 48, of Topeka, died December 20, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico on January 28, 1960 the son of Apolinar and Lucia (Romero) Cerca.

He was a 1982 graduate from Topeka High School.  Pedro attended Washburn University and received a degree in Applied Continuing Education with certification for Youth Services and Child Care.  While at Washburn he also received an Associates of Arts degree in 1992 and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Public Administration in 1993.  He also earned a Master’s Degree in Science and Management at Baker University in 2005.

He taught ESL Classes for El Centro and the Y.M.C.A. and was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. 

Pedro was proud of becoming an American Citizen on July 20, 1990.  He enjoyed coaching children’s soccer and was a runner who competed in several marathons.  He was recognized by the National Soccer Coaches of American with an award from Trinity University in Texas in 2002.

Pedro worked as the Assistant Administrator for El Centro.

He is survived by his mother, Lucia Cerca, two brothers, Pablo Cerca and wife Mary, and Jose Alberto Cerca and wife Teresa all of Topeka; four sisters, Ignacia Martinez and husband Angel of Topeka, Rosario Miller of Topeka, Lucia Cerca Larios and husband Alberto of Dallas, Texas, Maria de Jesus Origuela and husband Rafael of Springdale, Arkansas and many nieces and nephews.  Pedro was preceded in death by his father and a brother Gonzalo Cerca.

Pedro will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Monday after 2:00 p.m. where a Parish Vigil will be at 6:00 p.m. and a Legion of Mary Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pedro Cerca Memorial Fund and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 West Sixth Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.