Joe Pena

Joe Pena, 95 of Fort Sumner, NM died Saturday, March 26, 2005 at Kaseman-Presbyterian Hospice in Albuquerque following an illness. Joe was born June 1, 1909 in Sapello, NM to the home of Nestor Pena and the former Guadalupita Montoya. He moved with his family to Fort Sumner at age 10. He attended school at Sapello and Fort Sumner. Joe married Clara Bustos in 1933 at Las Vegas, NM. Joe worked as a Civilian Inspector at the Fort Sumner Air Base during WW II. He worked for many years as a mechanic beginning with John Wood Ford in Fort Sumner; and as Shop Foreman for Strong Chevrolet in Vaughn, NM from 1948 to 1953; Joe also managed a theatre in Fort Sumner for several years for Mrs. Helene Allen. He later purchased the theatre. In 1955 he built Joe Pena Automotive on West Sumner Avenue; he continued to work along side his son Eddie for many years. Joe’s health began to decline following a serious automobile accident in May 2000. Joe was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner. According to his family he loved his mechanic work; he was a self taught airplane pilot; and enjoyed traveling to visit his children. His travels took his across the U.S. and to Australia and Chile. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved taking his children and grandchildren camping, and fishing. Joe was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and will be missed by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Clara Pena in 1979; two brothers Raymond Pena and Phillip Pena; five sisters Margaret Hernandez, Charlotte Pena, Lois Silva, Viola Mares, and Petra Pena. Survivors include a daughter Irene Kesler of Hilbert, Wisconsin; four sons Joe Pena Jr. and wife Rose Ann of Muldrow, Oklahoma; Eddie Pena and wife Virginia of Fort Sumner; Henry Pena and wife Lucy of Lancaster, CA; and Fred Pena and wife Pat of York, PA; also surviving are three brothers Benny Pena and Fele Pena both of Muleshoe, TX; and Tony Pena of Fort Sumner; 17 Grandchildren, 34 Great-grandchildren, and 11 Great-great-grandchildren along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2005 from St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner; Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from the church at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, 2005 with Father Sotero A. Sena officiating. Burial will follow in the Pena family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Joe Casey Pena, John Pena, Gary Pena, Michael Pena, Joseph Pena, and Robert Pena. Honorary bearers will be all his Grandchildren, family and friends. Visitation will be Tuesday from 1pm to 6pm at the funeral home and Wednesday from 1pm to 2pm at the church. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311. For online condolences go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com