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Jose Pena Obituary
San Angelo
Jose "Joe" Angel Pena, 69, of San Angelo, died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.
He was born to Jose Angel Pena and Milady Paula Pena on Sept. 17, 1945, in Bronx, New York.
Joe graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1963. Afterwards, he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War where he was stationed in Turkey. After the war, he was stationed in San Angelo, Texas.
He attended Angelo State University before deciding to go into business. Joe opened up his first restaurant in 1969, in Coleman, Texas, called La Fiesta. The following year, he decided to move back to San Angelo and opened up Joe's Park Restaurant at 2821 N. Chadbourne. He ran his business for 39 years before retiring in 2009.
He had many loyal customers who would drop in for a cup of coffee or the favorite chicken fried steak special.
Joe was also a very generous and charitable man; for over 30 years Joe served a free dinner in his restaurant to senior citizens on Christmas Eve as well as make monthly donations to organizations such as St. Jude's, Salvation Army and Concho Valley Regional Food Bank.
Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Milady Paula Pena; his father, Jose Angel Pena; and by the love of his life, Faye Cooksey.
His survivors include his brother, Xavier Pena and his wife, Frances, of San Angelo; his sister, Bianca Nelson and husband Steven of New Mexico; nephews Xavier and Luis Pena of San Angelo and Scott Nelson of California; nieces Sherrie Laracuente of Connecticut, Milady Garrett and Marie Pena-Vitez of San Angelo, Sharene Nelson of Washington, and Faye's daughters, Linda Walker and Cathy Kuykendall.
In his 69 years, Joe managed to touch the lives of many people. He is gone but will never be forgotten.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Gutierrez Funeral Chapels/North. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, followed by a graveside service in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Gutierrez Funeral Chapels/North, 1002 N. Oakes St., San Angelo, TX, 76903, (325) 658-5995.
To share memories of Joe or to sign the guestbook, please visit our website, gutierrezfuneralchapels.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jose Pena
Kimberly Bland
December 22, 2020
Joe was a wonderful man. He was a great friend to my grandmother, Emily Smith, who owned the Monterrey Motel across from his Park Restaurant. He was always so kind to me and my family, and many of my friends. He was a true Christian and lived in his faith by example.
Martha Ramirez
August 31, 2015
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
R Rios
August 31, 2015
Joe served the community for almost 40 yrs serving up smiles and a loving family atmosphere in his restaurant. He was generous with all he knew. He will be missed.
Sherrie Laracuente
August 29, 2015
I'm truly blessed to have had you in my life. I Love you soo much Uncle Joe, you will always be my sunshine on a rainy day.
Celia ( Sally Wooldridge
August 29, 2015
Joe Angel was The Angel of his own Resturant , Always Made You FeelSpecial , like Family , while enjoying The Best Chicken Fried Steaks n Breakfasts n Lunches , This Side Of Heaven ! Now He Dines With Our Lord n Angels At His Speciality Table,Being Rewarded for All His Good Deeds To Man Kind On Earth Amen ,, Condolences to all his Remaining Family ~ from a Loyal Customer for years
August 29, 2015
Sorry for the loss of a fine man and a personal friend for many years.
Travis Strother
DARRELL FREEMAN
August 29, 2015
So sorry to hear of the loss of a good man & friend, Joe certainly had a good heart & did a lot for others.
Ann & Bill Baldwin
August 28, 2015
Our deepest sympathy to the Pena family. Jose was a great friend to us for many years. RIP Jose...you will never be forgotten. With love & sympathy.
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Gutierrez Funeral Chapels - North Location1002 N. Oakes St., San Angelo, TX 76903
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