Ruben Pena

His mother was working in the fields when he was born September 2, 1928. Ruben married Ernestina R. Pena, from Cotulla, Texas on July 17, 1950 in Burlington, Wisconsin. Together, they owned and operated a grocery store and laundromat in Crystal City, Texas. He also operated a radio / TV repair shop. He learned the trade through correspondence courses.

Not having a high school education, he attended one semester at the Valley Academy in Harlingen, Texas. He then transferred to the Mexican Baptist Bible Institute in San Antonio, Texas. He received his diploma May 1971. Ruben sold his businesses to become the full time pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Crystal City, Texas. He has since pastored other Texas Baptist churches in Gregory, Levelland, Stamford, Junction, Graham and Kerrville.

He continued to preach until the age of 83 when his health began to fail him. He moved to Midland, Texas in 2012 to live with his youngest daughter, Melissa, and her family. During that time, he attended Second Baptist Church. After suffering a severe stroke in 2014, he took residency at The Village at Manor Park in Midland, Texas. Aside from preaching, Ruben had a passion for music. He loved to sing solos and duets with his daughters.

He is survived by three daughters, Melida R. Canales and her husband Rudy Q. Canales, of Mitchell, South Dakota, Melinda Grace Hatfield and her husband, Jerry Kevin Hatfield, of Lubbock, Texas, Melissa Ann Orta and her husband, Rolando Orta, of De Soto, Texas. He is also survived by his sister Maria Rangel and her husband, Marcelino Rangel, of Big Spring, Texas as well as 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Ruben is preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Ernestina Pena (February 2004), and two sons, Rolando R. Pena (March 2016) and Reynaldo R. Pena (November 2009).

The family of Ruben Pena wishes to thank the staff of The Village at Manor Park and Hospice Midland for their loving care and support. Also thank you to Ellis Funeral Home for all the arrangements and Second Baptist Church and their pastor, Jon Slayden.

Visitation will be from 10:00a.m.-1:00p.m. at Ellis Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 3 followed by a funeral service at 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruben’s memory may be made towards his daughter’s cancer medical fund: gofundme.com Melissa Orta’s Medical Fund.