Albert C. Pena was born on January 17, 1970, in Panama Canal Zone to David B. Pena of Bishop, Texas and Martha Melendez Pena of Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. He lived most of his life in National City, California where he attended Palmer Way Elementary School, Granger Junior High, and Sweetwater High School. He later attended Concord Career Institute where he became a certified paralegal. He spent many years working in the housing finance field. His career afforded him the opportunity to relocate to Fort Worth, Texas in 2008.
Albert was a talented musician who played several instruments, including saxophone, clarinet, and bongos. He used his musical talent playing for his school marching band and his church worship team. Albert spent many years as a youth leader and mentor at his local church. As a commander in the Royal Rangers program, Albert taught the boys survival skills such as camping, knots, flint, and steel; however, more importantly, he taught them the things of God. Albert was also extremely creative with a wonderful sense of humor. He enjoyed writing, directing, and performing comedy skits the church skit team “Phoenix fire.” His skits were filled with spiritual truths that young people of all ages could relate to as well has have a laugh.
Albert was also a gifted artist who began drawing at a young age. He became a freelance cartoonist who was also known by the pseudonym, “Balto.” He was the creator of the comic strip "Orville” and published three comic books: Orville #1: "Dreams of Flight", Orville #2: "Laugh Clown, Laugh", and Orville #3: "Raiders of the Lost Trunk". Albert also created the webcomic "Critter County" and "Hodges Pond". He enjoyed comics and made many connections in the industry. He was Guest of Honor at Rain Furrest 2010 and Oklacon 2010. Albert’s hobbies included coin collecting, digging for fossils, and collecting animation art from his favorite animated films, classic cartoons, and favorite artists. His favorite animated films were “All Dogs Go to Heaven” and “Balto.”
In the later part of his life, Albert faced significant health challenges, but he did not let that discourage him, he stayed focused on living. He courageously fought every medical challenge that came his way, until September 13, 2021, when he took his final breath here on earth and made his way to heaven to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Albert is survived by his parents, David B. Pena, Martha M. Pena, and his siblings, David D. Pena, Rachel P. Reid, Elizabeth Kimble, his nieces, Tabitha Hale, Leah Kimble, his nephews, Daniel Pena, Joseph Kimble and his beloved German Shepherd, Charlie. While his surviving family and friends are heartbroken that he is no longer with us, we find comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain but is running on streets of gold with the angels and his new body. Rest in Love Albert, until we see you again.
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