Romy Epimoco Inocencio Perpetua Jr., veteran, federal retiree
Romy Epimoco Inocencio Perpetua Jr., 85, of Smyrna, N.C., passed away peacefully at his home Thursday Dec. 4, 2025.
Romy was born in Iloilo City on the island of Panay in the Philippines to Epimoco Perpetua and Natividad Inocencio.
As a child, Romy was fascinated by the West and joined the Navy during the Vietnam War. After serving in the Navy, he became a police officer in Hampton Roads, Va., and eventually began employment with the federal government as a customs agent in Texas. Due to his multi-lingual skills, he was recruited and retired as a special agent with the Treasury Department, serving over 30 missions within the U.S. and other countries from Belgium to Bolivia. Romy received special acknowledgements from three U.S. presidents as well as other international presidents, diplomats and dignitaries.
Upon retiring, he and his wife Andrea (predeceased), moved to Sussex County, where he began a second career as a parole officer. In his spare time, he taught English as a second language at the local college and was a child advocate with CASA.
His favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting, tinkering with cars, boats and motorcycles, and sharing life stories. He had a passion for gardening, cooking and sharing meals with family and friends.
Romy is survived by his daughter, Michele (Dan Roberts); his son, Kevin; grandsons, Kai and Kade; sister, Linda (Tillotson); brothers, Rey, Gabriel and Jefferson; younger sister, Virginia (Smith); as well as numerous nephews and nieces; and “adopted” son, Luis Norwood.
The family would like to thank Pop’s personal assistant Kelly Floyd-Willis, the Pruitt Home Health care team and all of the doctors and nurses at Duke Oncology, and the many friends and neighbors who welcomed Pop into their homes.
A memorial service to honor Romy’s life will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 12, at St. Egbert Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, Pop requested donations be made to nature and wildlife conservancy nonprofits.
Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at mundenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Morehead City, N.C.
