Name: Visitation for Manuel Castrejana
Start: 2018-06-07T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-06-08T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery

Manuel Castrejana
1954-2018
Manuel ("Pete") Castrejana, age 63, born August 5, 1954 to Ferdinand and Dora Castrejana in San Antonio, Texas, passed away Monday June 4, 2018 from multiple myeloma. However, he did "not go gently into that good night". He fought the myeloma long and hard for 15 years, one of the longer survivors of myeloma at MD Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, David Castrejana.
Manny leaves behind his loving wife, Josie Castrejana, of 38 years; children, Jacob (Janeli) Castrejana and Tracy (Ben) Sokoler; grandchildren, Amelia, Octavius, Maximus, and Ezri Castrejana; brothers JD (Myrna) and Richard (Judy) Castrejana.
Manny grew up in San Antonio, TX with his three brothers. He graduated from Thomas Edison High School and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1977 with a B.S. in Chemistry. In 1978, while in Corpus Christi he met the love of his life, Josie Garcia. Pete and Josie were married August 18, 1979 in Corpus Christi. They moved to Houston, TX where they began their careers and started a family.
Manny received his MBA from Houston Baptist University in Feb 1990. Manny worked in IT for many years, making many friends from colleagues along the way at Southwestern Bell Telephone, Compaq, Enron and lastly at LyondellBasell from where he retired in July 2003. He was influential in the lives of everyone he met.
Pete was the epitome of strength and grace. With every uphill battle, he was determined to beat the odds. He beat every prognosis by leaps and bounds. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and large extended family. In January of this year, after months of rehab, he walked his beautiful daughter Tracy down the aisle at her wedding. Pete was well known for his wisdom and generous heart. Many times Pete and Josie provided a home for those in need of a place to stay and many sought his advice especially on career choices. Pete had a huge heart for education and participated in the Junior Achievement program for several years. Pete's loving spirit will live on in our hearts forever and he will be missed greatly.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 7th at Forest Park Funeral home, 12800 Westheimer Rd, from 4pm to 8pm with a Rosary at 6pm. The Funeral Mass will be on Friday, June 8th at St. Justin Martyr Church, 13350 Ashford Point Dr., at 10:30 am. Memorial donations in memory of Pete may be made to M.D. Anderson and Houston Hospice. Thank you to Dr. Donna Weber and her team for her great care of Pete and to Houston Hospice for their loving care in his last days.

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Published by Houston Chronicle from Jun. 6 to Jun. 7, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Manuel Castrejana

Sponsored by Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.

11 Entries

June 11, 2018

Dear Josie,
So sorry to hear of Pete's passing. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
We had many fun times at Coral Petroleum.

Judy Brown

Sylvia Manzano

June 9, 2018

Pete was a great friend and family member. We enjoyed spending time with Pete and Josie on special occasions when they traveled to Corpus Christi. We will miss him very much. We love you, Josie.

Robert Belew

June 7, 2018

I too was a friend of Manuel/Pete in Jr. and High School. Although we both attended Texas A&M, and then eventually landed in Houston, we weren't in touch, so I didn't learn of his troubles until the last class reunion. I regret not doing more to renew the friendship and am gratified that Pete thought of me recently. Like many of us I suppose, I guess I thought there would be more time. At the same time I recognize the magnitude of his struggles, and respect him.

Condolences to his family - I'm privileged to have known him.

Gerri & Mike Gasper

June 7, 2018

If it weren't for Pete & Josie, Mike & I would never have gotten to know each other, nor would we have eventually fallen in love and gotten married. The party you held in your condo in 1980 started our lives as a couple. We bought a house in your neighborhood and we had our first children within 2 months of each other. Josie is the Godmother of our daughter and you and Mike became really good friends through the years. Although we moved away from Texas in 2003, we never forgot the fun we had together. We are so saddened to learn of your passing, but know one day, we will reunite in heaven with you for a pool party and a few beers.

June 7, 2018

May the bereaved family be comforted by looking forward to Jesus' promise recorded at John 6:40.

June 6, 2018

I remember him as Pete and we worked together for several years at Compaq. I remember him to be very personable and easy to work with. He was a hard worker who did whatever was required to get his work done. I remember him always speaking proudly of his family.

I have followed Pete on Facebook on and off for the last few years. I am proud of his 15 year fight and will always remember him.

I wish the Castrejana family the best during this extremely difficult time.

Sincerely,
Bert Quarfordt

Josie Castrejana

June 6, 2018

I love you very much Honeybunch. We had a great life together and I miss you.

June 6, 2018

Pete was a great man who knew, loved and served God as he had learned from the good Sisters at St. Mary Magdalen school in San Antonio. Later, when we were classmates at J.L. Whittier Jr. High School and T.A. Edison High School, there are many good memories of things Pete did and said. Since our parents' homes were a two-minute slow walk apart, we got to enjoy great times outside of school as well. I will always remember Pete's kindness and friendliness.

Daniel Crawford, Tyler, Texas

Roger Reyna

June 6, 2018

I remember Pete always being around joining in after-work or industry functions with my friend and former colleague Josie. Both before and after his illness set in he was always in good spirits and would often hear how he was beating the odds and was the poster child of a patient. He fought this battle with dignity. Glad he got the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding. What a man! My condolences and prayers go out to josie and the family. RIP Pete!

Paul Stern

June 5, 2018

So many memories of great times so long ago. Happy to have called you a friend and glad to see you leave such a wonderful legacy behind.