Jesse was my very good friend and customer for many years.  He tried, without much success I’m afraid , to help me be a better golfer.  He was a natural at Golf as well as music.  He was a kind and patient person and a wonderful teacher.
I know he’s with GOD now  and heaven is surely a better place with his presence. 
Rest In Peace old friend.


May he Rest in Peace.

Mary Hernandez Gonzales
Edinburg, Texas

 My condolences to you and your family Mrs. Pena.  May he rest in peace.  Until we play again Me Pena!

Mrs. Pena & family, I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Pena's passing.  He was such an influence to me as a musician.  It was an honor being his student (and yours as well in the 7th grade in Del Rio).  My deepest condolences to your family & may the good Lord bless you & your family.

Dear Ellie & family, 
 I just found out & am deeply saddened at the passing of my jr. high band director (in Del Rio) & my musical hero. I was always in awe of him. He had more talent in his pinky than most famous so-called musicians. He will be missed. Blessings from the Lord to you & your family. 
         sincerely, 
             Mark Guadiana Del Toro

Dearest Ellie and Family, 
My heart goes out to you all on the loss of such an incredible, honorable and beautiful spirit - Our Jesse. While the years pass and our contact is seemingly far, far away, please know I hold Jesse's memory close. As a child, I loved his visits to Momo's. His smile will always be in my heart. His kindness to my mom, Noris, a treasure. May God bless all of you. 
With sympathies and love,
Andreea

Jesse and I worked together at Ray HS. He always brought a calm and positive attitude every single day.  The joy he shared, easy smile, and musical gifts will remain in my heart.  Mike Koch

To the family of Mr. Peña:

Please accept my condolences during this time. Mr. Peña was my middle school band director when he taught at Hamlin Middle School. Because of him, I was inspired to chase my musical dreams both in high school and as a career! I am now an elementary music teacher in Spring ISD and I can only hope to be at least half the musician and teacher Mr. Peña was when he was my teacher.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015 

 
 Dear Ellie and family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Jesse, a faith-filled and generous person, has been called home! His physical presence is keenly missed; yet he is with you and with all of us, interceding for us as we pray for his eternal rest.
God bless you.
Love and best wishes,
Sr. Juliane

Ellie, I was so shocked to hear about Jesse's passing.  My deepest condolances to you and your family.  He will meet Eddie in heaven and they will play their saxaphones and make beautiful music.  God Bless you in your loss.  I love you.  Nancy Galvan

Dear Elisa, we are so sorry to hear about Jesse's passing. I know my brother, Hector Escamilla, spoke of him fondly through the years. Hector expressed to me how great of a friend he has lost. Please Accept our sincere condolences. Mary Lou and Raul Rivera (Falfurrias,Texas)

Jesse Pena had a huge impact on my life. He was the assistant band director at Ray High School when I was there, from 1978-'80. After being initially inspired by the previous assistant, Dennis Eichler, and being so disappointed when Mr. Eichler accepted a position in Baytown, Mr. Pena was a lifesaver to the burgeoning jazz program at Ray, and especially to me, a hungry-to-learn saxist. He further fostered an atmosphere there that led to us dominating the jazz arena in South Texas at that time. And he was always there to give personal attention and advice when it was needed. I had the utmost respect for him, and will be forever grateful.

Mrs. Peña &  family  we are so very sorry  for your loss. Mr. Peña was a very kind, and genuinely  person, and I  am so happy to have been able to know him. May he rest in peace.  Our prayers are with you , God Bless You!

Mr. Pena, you will be dearly missed. I am proud to say that I was one of your band students, but even more proud to say that we could share our love of music and our love of the Lord while playing at many Masses at St. Phillip the Apostle Catholic Church. I will always remember those times. Not only were  you an inspiration to me musically, you were an inspiration to me as a servant of the Lord. 

My prayers and condolences to the Pena family. 

With much love,
Denise Pena Rios

I'm so sorry to hear of Jesse's passing. My deepest condolences to Ellie, Lisa, and Duane. I remember the great times we had playing in the different bands and also Jesse being so patient with me on the golf course. He was such a talented musician, golfer, and loved his family. Rest in peace Jesse.

Dear Ellie, I was saddened to hear about the death of Jesse.  I enjoyed working with him at Hamlin. He was a very kind man.  I also enjoyed playing golf with him.  He gave me many hints in improving my golf  chipping game.  He always had a smile on his face. I will keep you in my prayers.  May he rest in peace.

Dear Ellie and family,
I'm so sorry for the loss of Jessie.  He was truly a good friend to so many and I will always be grateful for his visits with Joe - it meant a lot. I will always remember his smile and great attitude toward life.  Love to all, Suzel

Dear Ellie,  I knew your husband and worked with him as a band director in Del Rio, Texas.  My wife and I remember him with fondness.  He was a committed and dedicated musician and band director.  We were saddened to hear of your loss and look forward to the day we will all be reunited with Christ.  Psalm 116:15 says "Precious in the sight of The Lord is the death of his faithful servants."  Aurelio "Buddy" Laing, Jr & Marina Laing

Although Jessie was a year behind our class of 1960, I do remember him being very active in the band. I think what I remember most about him---Jessie ALWAYS had a smile on his face! Please know that the family is in my prayers!  May God give you peace!
Sylvia Moreland Eden (Hempstead, TX)

Jesse was a very good friend of mine and I will miss him. We played music together at Del Mar Junior College and always had fun doing it. My prayers go to his family.
Rest in peace,Jesse.

Tu amigo,
Joe Gallardo
Stuttgart, Germany

JESSE WAS ALSO A REAL GOOD BASEBALL PLAYER.

Elli and Jesse's family,My wife Olga and I, Desi Rodriguez wish to offer our 
condolence to your family. We enjoyed dancing to the music band Jesse played with. I remember when Jesse would invite Salvador and I to practice our trumpets and his sax at his house. He was always a GREAT friend when we were in school in Alice, Texas

Dearest Ellie,
Rudy & I are very saddened to hear about Jessie's passing, and want to express our most sincere sympathy to you and your family.we are keeping you in our prayers.
Love,
Rudy & Jovita Trevino

To the Pena family:  I was sadden to hear of the passing of Jessie.  He and I were members of the Class of 61 at WAHS.  I remember Jessie with fondness.  May he be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So sorry to hear about Jessie,he was a great person and had a great smile. Prayers for the family.             Celia Gonzalez French, Villa Rica ,Georgia

My heart goes out to Ellie and Jesse ' s children.  Jesse was a special man, one of a kind.  How reassuring to know he rests with the Lord.  God bless.

My sincerest condolences to the Pena family. I was a 9th grader in the Hamlin Rebel Band the year he took over as Head Director.  Mr. Pena was an outstanding teacher. For me personally I will always remember his taking the time to give me lessons and pushing me to be a better player, a better student and a better person...His work ethic and devotion to us that year was something that I have carried with me into my own career as a music teacher.  God Bless you Mr. Pena and may you be at peace!!

SUSIE AND I ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT JESSIE ,HE WAS SUCH A GOOD MAN AND A GOOD FRIEND FOR MANY YEARS ...OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY 
JIM & SUSIE TIPPS

OBITUARY

Jesse Pena Jr.

5 October, 1942 – 23 July, 2015

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