Gabriel "Gabe" Peña

Los Fresnos, Texas - Gabriel "Gabe" Peña, 58, of Los Fresnos, Texas passed away on Saturday, July 1, 2023.

Gabe was a resident of Los Fresnos and a 1983 graduate of Port Isabel High School where he had been an offensive lineman on PI's winning football program.

Gabe was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and was as dedicated to his students and athletes as he was to his family.

Coach Peña began his professional career as a non-paid assistant at Los Fresnos High School. He later joined the coaching staff of the Port Isabel Tarpons, a team he once played for during the 1980's under the direction of coaching greats Tommy Roberts and Alex Leal.

After working as an assistant coach under the tutelage of Coach Tony Villarreal, Coach Peña ascended to the position of Head Football Coach and Athletic Director. During this time, the teams of Port Isabel High School continued to see tremendous success both on the field and in the classroom. Whenever asked to comment about the school's success, Gabe was always quick to applaud his players and coaches for the many sacrifices they had to endure to achieve those accomplishments and accolades.

After a brief stint in Brownsville, Gabe coached at Weslaco High School where he was an Offensive Coordinator. In 2011, Coach Peña took the helm at Edinburg Economedes High School as the Head Football Coach and Campus Athletic Coordinator. In the ten years, the Economedes Jaguars became relevant in a district full of perennial powerhouses. Coach Peña led his Jags to the playoffs for 4 years and all the school's sports programs saw success.

Throughout his career, Coach Peña made sure all students felt loved and important. He could be seen walking the halls and asking students if they were interested in participating in any sports. "Sometimes a student needs athletics more than athletics needs them." This was a favorite saying of his. Gabe understood that athletics was one place where a student felt part of a team and learning to trust others and count on a teammate was a life skill that would benefit that student for the rest of their life.

Upon retiring in 2022, Gabe worked for AMI Kids where he continued mentoring young men as a Youth Care Specialist. He enjoyed this job so much and was considering going back to school to become a Licensed Professional Counselor to better assist the teens he worked with.

Gabe is preceded in death by his mother Lucila Eloisa Peña of Port Isabel; Mother-in-law, Raquel A. de Rodriguez; and Brother-in-law, Sid Rodriguez.

Gabe is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Raquel (Chacha); and daughter, Sydney Jo of Los Fresnos; his father, Martin Peña of Port Isabel; siblings Palmira Lucila Chapa (husband Mario) of Baytown, Miguel Javier Peña (Michelle) of Frisco, Cecilia Carmela Peña of Port Isabel, Roberto Rafael Peña of Kansas; father-in-law, Sidronio Rodriguez; two brothers-in-law Meliton (Ana) Rodriguez of San Antonio, Alberto (Brenda) Rodriguez of San Antonio; and was a loving uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive guests beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday July 14, 2023, at Our Lady, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 705 Longoria St, Port Isabel, Tx, 78578.

A Memorial Mass will follow immediately thereafter at 11:00 a.m. on Friday July 14, 2023, at Our Lady, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 705 Longoria St, Port Isabel, Tx, 78578.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gabe Peña may be sent to AMI Kids Rio Grande Valley 27615 Buena Vista Rd, Los Fresnos TX, 78566.

Words of comfort can be sent to the family of Gabriel "Gabe" Peña at www.thomaegarza.com

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, TX (956) 399-1331.