Daniel Joseph Peña reunited with his brother and best friend in heaven on December 16, 2021. Daniel was a fiercely loyal brother, uncle, son, husband, father, and friend. After losing his brother, Daniel did everything he could to make sure his only nieces, Ava and Alexa, were not only cared for but also knew their father. Daniel died suddenly and without suffering.
Daniel was born to Janie and Galdino Peña on March 4, 1986 at Shannon Hospital in downtown San Angelo. It was shortly after learning to walk that he fell in love with sports, a love affair which lasted all his life. He was a multisport athlete, with his father coaching him in baseball from an early age, although football was where he excelled, helping his team go to the state quarterfinals in 2003 as a defensive tackle. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Army, where he studied combat medicine during his term. After returning to civilian life, he settled into his new job of painting and remodeling, a job which he would later turn into a career and form his own company.
It was then that he met his wife Gracie Grimaldo, and the two fell in love almost instantly. Daniel loved her two children, Christian and Sevy, as his own, and some of his happiest moments were teaching Sevy to play baseball, basketball, and how to fish.
Daniel was a carer, and a protector. Serving was his way of showing love. Whether it be painting his parents’s house just because he was able, or preparing Gracie's coffee each morning before work. No task was too large or too small if it was in service to someone he loved. In every spare moment he was on his boat fishing, a habit he picked up from his father. He was always ready with a joke and a smile, and could bring levity into any room he walked into. He had an unmistakable laugh, and he laughed often.
He was preceded in death by his big brother Galdino Lorenzo “Trey” Peña III, for whom Daniel had a love that few could understand.
The Peña boys are back together again, and Daniel is at long last in peace.
A rosary will be held for Daniel at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 20th 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and the funeral the next morning at 10 AM at St. Mary’s as well. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Galdino Peña (Sr.) and Manuela Peña; his maternal grandfather, Ciriaco Lopez. He is survived by his wife Gracie Grimaldo and step-children Sevy and Christian; his grandmother Clemencia Lopez; his parents Janie and Galdino Peña (Jr.); his brother Stephen Peña and sister Cyndi Michelle McNary and husband John; his nieces Ava and Alexa Peña and their mother Natalee Sosa; his aunts Justina Picon and husband Lupe and Cathy Gonzales; uncles Jose Peña and wife Ester, Raymundo Peña, Lupe Gonzales and wife Patsy, Ruben Gonzales and wife Imelda, Ciriaco Lopez Jr. and wife Sandra, Paul Lopez and wife Victoria, Michael Lopez and wife Martha, and Joe Lopez and wife Alina; and numerous cousins.
On behalf of the Peña Family, they would like to offer their gratitude for the continued prayers and support during this difficult time.
“You will be missed by all of us lucky enough to have known you. May you rest in peace.”
