Juventino Peña Maldonado

Juventino Maldonado was a kind, caring and loving husband, father and grandfather. He worked 47 years for revels block and brick until he had to take a leave due to his illness. He was a grandfather to many grand babies both girls and boys to who he loved dearly. My father was great kind loving man who’d brighten up a room with his presence. My father was a lovey being whose appearance in any place would bring joy as many would consider he was the life of the party. My dad was a great man who’d brighten anyone’s day if it was a bad day he would always have great advice and a warm hug to give.

Although my father was gleeful and joyful he was a warrior as well who fought long term illness. My father fought long term illnesses such as arthritis, diabetes, low blood pressure, osteomyelitis and myelodysplastic syndrome. Despite his long list of medical illnesses my dad always kept a warm smile on his face and would find ways to make others laugh. Our journey into the longest battle he’s fought began 3 years ago in June where he was diagnosed with anemia and irregularities in his bone marrow. My father began chemo shortly after as well as underwent multiple biopsies for his bone marrow. Countless booster shots were administered to him and different medications were prescribed to continue to work with his bone marrow.

My dad would continue his journey until February 21st where he was told by his oncologist that he was now considered terminal and was expected to have less than six months. A few weeks later we were contacted by a transplant center to where we were asked to test for possible matches for a bone marrow transplant. July 8th my dad made his way into the icu where one of the hardest battles begun unfortunately my father had high heart rates and low pressure leading him to be intubated where he was also found to have pneumonia and a collapsed lung. My dad underwent countless procedures such a tracheostomy since breathing had not improved, a lung sweep to help with breathing and got a feeding tube inserted as well.

In many of the procedures my dad underwent we were told today could be the last he would always pray before any of them. Unable to speak or eat due to his need for the ventilator we fought it day at a time. My dad finally went off the ventilator on July 23rd after countless attempts by staff to request for us to unplug him. Days later he would be taken to Memorial Herman Medical Center for a hematoma that was found on him as a cause of constant need for IV and transfusion. There began our next journey to heal that wound that threatened his life and his arm’s viability after three exploratory surgeries we were told his arm was viable.

As time progressed he was sent to humble Texas on August 28th to heal his arm. On September 25th my dad went home from humble Texas. On October 29th my father was taken back to the hospital due to pressure issues and came back home. My father was then told he’d need a surgery on October 30th that was from the top of his arm to his elbow. He’d go home on November the 4th but due to heavy bleeding I’d call an ambulance yet again to have him monitored by the 5th we were on the way to the hospital. Unfortunately that would be the final time I’d take him to the hospital.

On Sunday the 10th my father ate prayed and watched many of his favorite movies until around 8 where he’d begin having pressure issues. Shortly after I’d call a nurse to check his pressure as my suspicion grew that his pressure was low. That very night my dad would be sent back to the icu and we were told that unfortunately pressure and sugar levels weren’t high enough for his state so we’d proceed to add a central line and pic line to administer medication to stabilize him. Shortly after we were told to go speak with him and we’d have to re intubate him as oxygen was also low.

My dad would later say yes and pray with us. My dad would fight for two days straight given countless bags of blood and plates as well as medication. Unfortunately my dad would need three rounds of Epi during those three days to where eventually my sweet father’s heart could no longer keep beating. The morning of November 12th we lost our precious father. My dad passed peacefully the morning November 12th in the hospital in a peaceful manner.

My dad now lives in heaven rejoicing in God's beautiful presence. Although he leaves behind a beautiful legacy and wonderful memories that we will cherish his absence will not be light. Daughters, sons, and grandchildren will dearly miss our beloved jr. Time with him was not only a blessing but a gift from God. We have now gained a beautiful angel named Juventino Maldonado may our beloved angel now rest in peace.

- written by Maria Maldonado

• Heavenly Father, we ask for your mercy and grace for Juventino as he begin his journey into eternal life. Please bring him into your loving arms and grant him peace and rest. We also pray for those who are left behind, that they would find comfort and hope in your presence and the promise of seeing their loved one again. Amen.

A visitation for Juventino will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Chapel of Eternal Peace at Forest Park, 2454 S Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077. A funeral service will occur Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 2:00 PM, 2454 S Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077. A committal service will occur Sunday, November 24, 2024, 2454 S Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077.