Diego Jose Pena

Diego Jose Peña, born November 28, 1931, in Dilley, Texas, and died January 9, 2017 at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesus Peña Benavides and Genoveva Cantu Peña; brother Hector A. Peña and his wife Esperanza Gutierrez Peña, and nephew Tulio R. Peña. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rosaura Garcia Peña, daughter Diana L. Arnold and her husband Mike Arnold of Austin, sons Diego J. Peña and wife Pia of Arlington, Texas, Fernando J. Peña of San Antonio, and Carlos J. Peña and his wife Ruth of San Antonio; grandchildren, Johjanes Griffith, Tirza Peña, Genevieve Peña, Alejandro Peña, Marissa Peña, and Daniel Peña; brothers Ciro F. Peña and his wife Jean of Rome, Georgia and Tulio L. Peña and his wife Maria de la Luz of San Antonio; and countless other friends and family members.

Diego graduated from Martin High School in Laredo, Texas in 1949, having served as senior class president. In 1951, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on board the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Rochester for three tours of duty, and was discharged honorably. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1958.

Diego married Rosaura in 1957, and they moved to San Antonio where he worked for the U.S. Air Force at the Air Logistics Center at Kelly AFB until his retirement in 1989. He was very proud of his 35 year career with the U.S.A.F. and his service on board the U.S.S. Rochester during the Korean War.

Throughout his life, he was a devout Roman Catholic. He and Rosaura enjoyed attending daily Mass at St. Matthews Catholic Church. He felt blessed being a “sixer,” as the close knit group at St. Matthews is called that regularly attends 6 a.m. daily Mass. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus Council 10245.

Diego’s family always came first. He was particularly proud of his four children and all his grandchildren. He enjoyed travelling with his wife and family

A Rosary will be recited at St. Matthew Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 beginning at 10:00am, Mass will follow at 10:30am. Interment will be at Mission Park North Burial Park following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Texas Knights of Columbus State Charities in memory of Diego Jose Pena. Donations may be mailed directly to Texas Knights of Columbus State Charities, 6633 Highway 290 East, Suite 204, Austin, Texas 78723-1157 or donations may sent on line at https://www.tkofc.org/fundraising/donate/project/state-council-charities. If making the donation on line, in the council box, scroll down to Council 4140, the designation box hit, individual contribution, and in the memo box place the name Diego Jose Pena.