Pedro "Pete" L. Coronel

A member of “The Greatest Generation”, Pete embodied that moniker. Born in Hereford, Arizona amidst the Great Depression, Pete was the protector and pillar of the family. He had 6 sisters and 1 younger brother. Unable to finish school he spent his youth working in the agricultural fields or doing construction work to help the family’s survival. Out of this hardship, Pete acquired a lifelong appreciation of hard work to survive, humble ambition to thrive, while also caring for those in need. These principles and virtues influenced the rest of his life as a husband, father, grandfather, soldier, entrepreneur, outdoorsman and musician.

At the age of 21, married and with a young child, Pete served his country honorably during WWII while part of the Army’s 7th Calvary deployed in the Southern Philippine Islands. As a scout, he was responsible for tracking and reporting enemy activity. That also meant he was the first to encounter enemy fire. For his heroic service, he received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for exemplary combat action and suffering wounds that ultimately resulted in a permanent disability. When sharing his war experiences, he always sadly remembered his lost comrade and fellow scout, Brooks, whose lifeless body he carried from the battlefield back to camp.

Upon his return from the war and undeterred by the hardship of his new disability, he began a 28 year career in civil service as an Auto Equipment Mechanic in the Material Readiness Division of the Air Defense Center at Fort Bliss. Pete was part of the massive effort to ready military vehicles during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

In addition to working a full time job, Pete sought other opportunities to provide security for his family. Pete, his wife Petra, and his 5 children, owned and operated a Second Ward mainstay, Coronel’s Grocery Store on Campbell Street. Petra managed and supervised the store, but everyone was expected to work and contribute to its operation. A compassionate businessman, he was known to forgive debts owed by families in need. The family dinner table often included fellow veterans that Pete knew needed a job and a good meal. He never denied them the dignity and respect he believed they deserved.

Pete was always a resourceful worker. The two homes he built from the ground up are great examples. The first was the family home in Ysleta, Texas that was constructed from adobe blocks he made himself. Then, during retirement, he built his “vacation” home in Chaparral. The two story house was made mostly with recycled material. He was never a wasteful person and would always use what was still good.

Pete was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He particularly liked fresh water and deep sea fishing in California. Deer antlers and other game adorned his home.

He was most passionate about his music. A self taught musician, he loved playing the guitar and singing with various groups at events. He also loved to dance. The Coronel home was always filled with music, great food and laughter. Pete and Petra were members of the choir at San Ignacio Catholic Church. In his eighties, and early nineties, he would still play his guitar and entertain the “viejitos” at a local nursing home. He did not see himself as a member of that population.

Last year, he was part of Mission 13 of the Southern New Mexico and El Paso Honor Flight. Through this program, Pete and fellow veterans were flown to Washington DC to visit the various war memorials. He received V.I.P. treatment from the police escorts, to the cheering airport crowds. He was so proud to be honored for his service, bravery and sacrifice. For him, it truly was the trip of a lifetime.

Pete did not have to die from this devastating and merciless virus. It could have been prevented. He kept himself lean and mean doing his famous daily stretching exercises and repeatedly walking from one end of the house to the other. Recently, he was singing and dancing in the kitchen without the aid of his walker. Pete was not one to shy away from expressing his unfiltered opinion and fiercely protecting his family as he thought best. A religious man, he found solace and forgiveness in the Lord, reading his bible and praying for his family every day.

His proud legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who exemplify the principles and virtues he believed. They include Educators, Entrepreneurs, Business owners and Managers, Advocates for victims of crime and for the homeless, Creative Directors, Musicians, Dancers, Singers and Patriots who have served their country in the Army, Coast Guard, and Border Patrol.

A life well lived, Pete will be missed and remembered for his kind heart, strong work ethic, love of family, charm and generosity.

Pedro is predeceased by his wife of 70 years Petra M. Coronel, his son Manuel Coronel (Esther), his parents Dionicio and Petra L. Coronel, his brother Juan Coronel and sisters Maria Jesusita Lester, Maria Tapia, Julia Reyes, Claudia Silva, Eulogia Rodriguez and Inez Villela.

He is survived by his four daughters, Isabel Coronel, Irene Navarrette, Delia Terrell (Jim) and Cecilia McGovert, 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was a beloved Tío Pete to many nieces and nephews and to extended family.

The family would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses of William Beaumont Army Medical Center for their vigilant and compassionate care.

Memorial visitation will be held Friday, August 20, from 10:30am to 12:30pm, Military Honors at 10:45am, with Scripture service at 11:30am at Funeraria Del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Avenue.

Family and friends may leave condolences at www.FunerariaDelAngelCentral.com.