Manuel Pena Jr.

Manuel was born on July 7, 1945 in McAllen, Texas to Manuel M. Peña and Esperanza Hinnant.

He is predeceased by his parents, brother Leopoldo H. Peña, sister Carlota Grimes, and granddaughter Alma Cervantes.

He is survived by his children, Tina Peña and Rolando Peña, and granddaughter, Esperanza Cervantes.

Manuel took great pride in being a father but, was especially proud of being Papa to Esperanza Cervantes and Alma Cervantes, and cared for his extended grandchildren, Priscilla, Hannah, Neena and Zakary, like his own. He always made sure his family did not need for anything.

Manuel was a rancher his entire life and felt passing on this legacy to the next generations was very important. He made sure to always impart his knowledge to his children and granddaughters.

He was raised in Hebbronville, Texas. Upon graduating high school, he joined the United States Army where he served in Washington DC and in Vietnam. He was a proud member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars throughout his life in posts in both Hebbronville, Texas and Rockport, Texas. Manuel was proud to have done his duty to help defend freedom for all and knowing everything he knew later in life, he would have done it all again. He was a big support of his fellow veterans and an advocate for the welfare of children.

Memorial Rosary will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. with visitation starting at 2:00 p.m. at the Funeraria Del Angel Howard Williams, Hebbronville. Services will conclude with full Military Honors.

To honor his legacy, in lieu of flowers, the Peña family asks that memorial donations be made in his name to The Disabled American Veterans, Farmer Veteran Coalition, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Information is provided below.

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at:

https://help.dav.org/page/53021/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=fund_webdav&en_txn6=FFN002JAAA&_gl=1*183tpnl*_gcl_au*MTAwNTIzNDQyNC4xNzY3NzE4NTE2*_ga*OTMyMTg2MTk1LjE3Njc3MTg1MTc.*_ga_1NLNFTWZTF*czE3Njc3MTg1MTckbzEkZzAkdDE3Njc3MTg1MjEkajU2JGwwJGgw

Farmer Veteran Coalition at:

https://farmvetco.org/donate/

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at:

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?frequency_selected=0&dedication=1&sc_dcm=137187318174&sc_cid=kwp&sl=memorial-gift&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1285465&ds_rl=1291300&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17681679263&gbraid=0AAAAADuyZN4K1ZxAp4XkW9n1hqdnQ5-zi&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgvPKBhCxARIsAOlK_Erfsd97-_w_oIAdQB3NibJ2w7LyJO3frsFT0joV6FMEYyu4VmJc-WMaAiK2EALw_wcB