Jose Castro Peña

For nearly 87 years, Jose (Joe) Castro Peña left his stamp on the world and on those who were lucky enough to know and love him. He was born on December 9, 1926 in Bastrop, Texas to Rufino and Patrocinia Peña. He passed away on December 7, 2013 in Austin, Texas.

As a young boy, Joe’s family moved to Rockdale, then later to Round Rock, Texas. Joe grew up in a large family in a Round Rock of a very different time. He fondly remembered his boyhood, especially working as the projectionist at the Rock Theater downtown. Toward the end of WWII, Joe enlisted in the army and served in post-war Berlin. After the war, he served a short time working for the railroad, and then settled into a long career in construction. He was a field superintendant who managed the utility infrastructure for much of Austin and central Texas. He blasted dynamite to build the utilities in many areas of Austin and Central Texas. He had an amazing engineering mind and could grade land largely by sight. His bulldozing skills were largely unmatched and he never failed at building anything that he set his mind to.

On January 7, 1950, Joe married Juana Gonzalez of Round Rock. Together they had four sons and one daughter. Joe never missed an opportunity to brag about his kids. Eventually, he and Juana were blessed with nine grandchildren. Joe was the happiest at family holidays and get-togethers.

The most notable thing about Joe was his personality. Let’s just say that he had a big presence. Joe would talk to whoever was standing next to him and truly did not know a stranger. He usually could be heard several minutes before being seen. He laughed loud and often and went through this life with a love for people. He thought that life was meant to be enjoyed, and he spent his life sharing laughs with just about everyone he met. He was still busy making friends even in his last days at Scott and White Hospital and Christopher House Hospice.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Rufino and Patrocinia Peña; brothers, Victoriano and Frank Peña; sister, Maria Correa; and son, Roger Peña.

Joe is survived by Juana, his wife of 63 years. Also left to cherish his memory are his sons, Jose Guadalupe Peña and wife Jenni Lou, George Peña and wife Rita, Victor Peña and wife Bertha; daughter Kathy Kelly and husband Ray; daughter in law Cynthia Peña; grandchildren, Christopher Peña, Alexander Peña, Lindsey Viebrock, Victor A. Peña, Aaron Peña, Amelia Peña, Theresa Peña, Katelyn Kelly, and Victoria Peña; brother Jesse Peña; brother in law Frank Correa; sisters, Anita Perez, Evangelina Peña, and Ophelia Razo; and sister-in-law Loretta Peña.