John Orlando Pena, '48
John Orlando Pena, '48, passed away on November 11, 2014 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
John Orlando Peña, age 84, of Albuquerque, NM, passed away on November 11, 2014, losing a long battle with kidney disease.
John "Sonny" was born in Taos, NM on April 20, 1930. John was a 1948 graduate of Boys Town High School in Boys Town, NE.
A Korean War Veteran, John enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Bliss, TX during the Korean conflict.
John married Frances V. Gallegos in 1950 and they had four children, Johnny Lee, Carla Gail, Richard Anthony and Frank Joseph.
John worked for ACF Industries, Boeing Aircraft and retired from Bernalillo County State District Court. John was involved in community issues and an active member of his political party. John’s love was genealogy research and dedicated his retirement years to researching his family history as well as volunteering for the New Mexico Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico (NMHGRC), Home of the "Great New Mexico Pedigree Database".
John is survived by his three children, Carla Perea and her husband, Tom, Richard Peña and his wife, Bette of Raleigh, NC and Frank Peña and his wife, Karen, two granddaughters, Bethany Peña and Juliana Peña of Albuquerque, NM, sisters, Gloria Peña Lipps of Sun City, AZ, Marcia Peña Thompson of Melville, NY, Theresa Peña Greenman of Anaheim, CA and Rosella Peña Trujillo of Albuquerque, NM, numerous nieces and nephews, and his long-time loyal canine companion, Nacho.
John was preceded in death by his much loved grandparents, Ignacio V. Luján and Regina L. Luján, parents, Elighio Vincente (Lee) Peña and Maria Emelia (Emma) Peña, son, Johnny Lee, brothers, Charlie and Michael, half sister, Margaret Everling and his beloved, Karen Chavis.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, 3:00 p.m. at Daniels Family Funeral Services, 2400 Southern Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho. A reception will follow at The Rio Grande Gracious Retirement Living. Burial will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 11:15 a.m. at Santa Fé National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, John requested donations be made in his honor to Boys Town at www.boystown.org.
The family of John Orlando Peña wishes to thank Ambercare Hospice and the wonderful and caring staff, residents and staff at The Rio Grande Gracious Retirement Living, as well as Marcia Peña Thompson, Gina Trujillo and Rosella Peña Trujillo for their wonderful care and attention to our father.
John Orlando Peña will be deeply missed as a father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.