Pedro "Pete" Cadena Tellez

Pedro (Pete) Cadena Tellez was born on July 12, 1933 in Mesilla, NM. He graduated from Bowie High School in El Paso, TX in May 1952. While in high school he was Editor of the school paper, class Senator, Junior Class Favorite, was a Lieutenant in ROTC and commanded the first Silent Drill Platoon. He also served as President of the National Honor Society Local Chapter and graduated 6th out of a class of over 200. He joined the US Air Force and trained as a Radio Intercept operator, Morse and was assigned to USAF Security Service in Darmstadt, Germany where he was stationed for three years. He received the Army Occupation (Germany) Medal, Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant and returned to El Paso. He was employed by the US Border Patrol and later transferred to the Civil Aeronautics Authority which later became the Federal Aviation Administration where he worked as an air traffic controller. On April 12, 1956, he married Carlota Elena Munoz. During his 40 year career in the US Military and Civil Service he retired in 1991 as an Air Traffic Manager with the FAA. Upon retirement he and his wife moved to Nashville, TN. He attended St. Edward’s Catholic Church and became involved as a volunteer for Catholic Charities. Being bilingual, he worked at relocating a significant number of Cuban refugees who were arriving in Nashville. He was also a member of Leadership Nashville and became a Metro Commissioner with the Human Relations Commission, was a member of Alive Hospice where he served on the Board of Directors and Hispanic outreach efforts. He was also called upon by the Mayor during the 2000 census to help count Hispanic residents in Davidson County. He was active in other organizations including the Woodbine Community Center where he served on the Steering Committee. Pete served as a Lector in his church and assisted in organizing a Hispanic ministry. This eventually led to establish a new parish dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Additional duties at St. Edward included participating in the Parish Councils, Hospitality Ministry, and Eucharistic Minister. He is preceded in death by parents Pedro A. Tellez and Isabel Cadena Tellez, brother Roberto, sisters Guadalupe and Ernestina. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elena Tellez, children Diana Tellez-Briones, Pedro E. Tellez, Dan Tellez and Christine Tellez- Gray, 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Visitation at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home on Thursday 2/26 , 4-7 pm with Rosary at 7 pm. Mass on Friday at 10 am at St. Edwards Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, Pete had requested for donations to be made in his memory to the Disabled American Veterans.