Roy David Pena Sr.

1947 - 2019

Edinburg - "It's the circle of life. Everyone's life has an end. This is how mine will end."

That's what Roy David Pena told his family in December after he decided to stop his cancer treatments. He was a vibrant, strong man, and he didn't want to spend the time he had left in and out of hospitals. He had a ranch to take care of and family to spend time with. So that's how Roy spent his last few months. He took a trip to see his grandson, David, in college in Indiana. He took boat rides in Corpus Christi. He went to the movies with his wife, Noelia. He took care of his horse, cows, and his goats, and drove his tractor around his ranch in Red Gate, Texas. He wanted to go out on his own terms, and that's what he did. He never once asked, "Why me?". He simply continued to live a full, rich life, and on February 17, 2019, surrounded by family, Roy David Pena passed away at home.

Roy will be deeply missed by his wife of 48 years, Noelia, his daughter Marty (Chris), and his grandchildren, Kaylie and David. Also surviving are his brothers, Carlos (Rosie) and Bob (Glenda), and his sister, Mariola (Rudy) Bazan, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Roy was preceded in death by his son, Roy David Pena Jr, his parents, Rogelio and Viola Pena, and his in-laws, Lucas and Natalia Hinojosa.

Roy was born in Norman, Oklahoma on February 12, 1947. Shortly after his birth, his family moved back to Texas. He graduated from Edinburg High School in 1965. After high school, he attended Pan American College and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Education. His first job out of college was an elementary school coach at Stephen F. Austin Elementary School. He was then called into service to his country, serving in the Texas Army National Guard, and then the US Border Patrol. He finished his Border Patrol Career as a Special Agent in the Anti-Smuggling Unit. He was also in charge of the first Border Patrol Horse Patrol in Brownsville, Texas. Following his retirement from Federal Service, he went on to serve for 10 years as a Court Security Officer at the United States Federal Courthouse in McAllen, Texas.

Roy was a very kind and humble man, full of faith and love for God, family, and the outdoors. His favorite times were spent traveling with his daughter, her husband, and his two grandchildren, including tubing behind speedboats in Missouri, Caribbean cruises, and RV trips to Disney World and Colorado. He also loved taking his grandchildren with him while he tended to his ranch. One memorable day involved teaching his granddaughter, Kaylie, how to drive a stick shift in his back pasture. The fact that she was 8 years old didn't seem to be an obstacle to him. He also taught his grandson, David, to drive a tractor and often took David with him to feed the horse, cows, and his goats. He always challenged them to grow and do their best at anything they did.

Roy will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched, but his legacy and memories will live on through his family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary Friday, February 22, 2019, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. A Catholic Mass will take place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, February 23, 2019, at St. Anne's Catholic Church, N. Hwy 281 in Linn-San Manuel. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.

Pallbearers will be Kaylie Killian, David Roy Killian, Chris Killian, Rudy Bazan, Arnold Hinojosa, Lucas Hinojosa Jr, Charlie Pena, and Bob Pena. Honorary pallbearers will be Hector de la Rosa, Antonio Flores, Jorge Flores, Miguel Garza, Felo Guerra, Daniel Hinojosa, Lucas Hinojosa, Romeo Hinojosa, Carlos Pena, Mikey Pena, Jose Peralez, Felipe Segura, and John Trevino.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Linn-San Manuel Community Improvement Committee, P.O. Box 345, Linn, TX 78563 in memory of Roy.

Sign the guestbook at www.memorialfuneral.com

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.