Roll Call Tribute

Jose G. Peña, LTC USA (Ret) 

March 19, 1933 - February 23, 2024 

LTC Jose G. Peña, U.S. Army (Ret.) age 90 died peacefully at home on Friday, February 23, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born March 19, 1933 in Laredo, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Hildegarde Nicolasa Peña, his father, Raul Peña, his mother, Nicolasa Peña; his sister, Diane Peña Ramirez and his brothers, Raul Peña, II, Javier Peña and Ricardo Peña. LTC Peña is survived by his wife of 60 years, Valerie Peña; his daughter, Tina Marie Peña Azbill and her husband, Eugene; his sisters, Rosa Vallone and Minerva Koplin.

LTC Peña was a graduate of Martin High School in Laredo, Texas and Texas A & M University in 1956 where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees.

He was a Veteran of the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War having served as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army. He was awarded numerous medals, badges and commendations, namely the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. After completing a 20-year career in the Army, he joined the Texas Agricultural Extension Service as a District Specialist based in Uvalde, Texas and was awarded an Official Commendation for Superior Service. His specialty was to serve vegetable, fruit and nut growers in Texas and integrating financial management educational programs statewide and internationally. His military experience gave him a global view forming his interest in international markets and the political and cultural environments in which these markets exist. As part of the agribusiness education project in Russia in the 1990’s he developed a farm management and economics curriculum. Joe’s globe-trotting continued as he worked to deliver economic training programs in northern Iraq, consulting in Latin America, and regularly delivering papers at international conferences. Texas A & M University awarded him the title of Professor Emeritus of Agriculture Economics.

Visitation will begin at 6:00 P.M. followed by the Rosary at 7:00 P. M. on Monday, March 4, 2024 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive, San Antonio, Texas. The Funeral Mass will begin at 2:00 P.M. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 10703 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78230. Private Interment with Military Honors will take place in College Station, Texas at a later date. In lieu flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the San Antonio Food Bank ~ https://safoodbank.org/.