LEONEL PEÑA

1942 - 2014

LEONEL PEÑA PHARR - Leonel Peña, 72, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg. He was born in Rio Grande City, Texas on November 10, 1942 and was preceded in death by his parents, Tomas and Andrea Peña, and his brothers and sisters, Lino Peña, Beatrice Peña, Carlota Hernandez, Reynaldo Peña, Rodolfo Peña, Ruben Peña, and Jesus Peña. Mr. Peña is survived by his fiancé, Victoriana Rivas; one sister, Adelaida Peña; one brother, Adolfo Peña; his children, Cynthia Peña Reynolds, Leonel (Rosemary) Peña Jr., Tomas (Kelly) Peña, and Virginia Peña; 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Mr. Pena served with the USAF for 20 years before retiring in 1982. He was an instrumentalist with AF Bands in Colorado, Germany, and Alabama. He cross-trained in 1971 to become a C-130 Loadmaster enlisted air crew member. He logged over 10,000 flying hours in C-130 and received two Air Medals during his tour in South Vietnam (1972-1973). He attended Pan Am University under G.I. Bill (1982-1986) and was a state certified teacher. He taught school at Donna ISD Middle School (1986-1991) and at RGC High School until 1994. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 2014 at Flores Funeral Home in Mission. Chapel service will be Monday, December 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Flores Funeral Home in Mission. Interment will follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Flores Funeral Home in Mission. Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries