Aurelio Piña Jr.

Aurelio Piña Jr., known as AP to friends, was a proud Marine and loyal Dallas Cowboys and Texas Tech fan. He was a persistent protector of the Piña family name – it’s Piña, not Peña – and beloved by many customers of the U.S. Postal Service, where he worked as a clerk for more than three decades. AP died Oct. 30, 2022, after a yearlong battle with lung cancer, his third bout with the disease. He was 66.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Nov. 10 from 4-8 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 11 from 4-8 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home, with a Rosary taking place at 6 p.m. Friday evening. A mass will be held Saturday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. at St Patrick Catholic Church, 1603 Cherry Ave, followed by a graveside Military Service at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park.

Born in 1956 in Lubbock, AP was the oldest of three children. His father, Aurelio Piña, was a carpenter, and his mother, Minnie Piña, was a homemaker. AP graduated from Estacado High School in 1974 and joined the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California until he received an Honorable Discharge in 1978.

AP then went to work for the U.S. Postal Service at the post office in downtown Lubbock. He became popular at the post office over the years, especially among Spanish-speaking customers who appreciated his patience and help in preparing their items for sending. He retired from the Postal Service in 2012.

In his younger years, AP earned the nickname Mr. T (from the 1980s television series The A- Team) because he always wore up to 10 gold necklaces at a time, family members recall fondly. The nickname hinted at another side of AP: Some family members recall he could be “a hard man, but he had a good soul.”

In fall 2021, AP was diagnosed with lung cancer again. He was given six months to live – he survived for a year. In that year, family members came together to make it possible for him to check off the items on his Bucket List. He went on a weeklong private tour of Alaska. He suited up for a NASCAR racing experience at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. He soared to new heights on a hot air balloon ride in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Anyone who knew AP knew he was proud of the Piña surname, which means Pineapple in English. Pineapple décor adorned his home and frequently his attire, too. At his request, AP will be buried in a shirt and shorts bearing the tropical fruit – one last reminder to all that it’s Piña, not Peña.

AP is survived by his longtime companion Dolores Vecchio of Lubbock; his children, Aurelio Piña III (JJ) of Lubbock, Jamie Piña of Bloomington, Illinois, Marcus Piña of Lubbock, Monica Pillow of Arlington, and Adam Pillow of Lubbock; seven grandchildren, Aurelio IV (Noah), Pepper, Eva, Eden, Alexxis, Erin, and Marcus, Jr.; and sister Rosemary Hicks (Freddie) of Lubbock. He was preceded in death by his father, Aurelio Piña (2020), his mother, Minnie Piña (2022), his younger brother, Hector Piña (2016), and his grandchild Eli Joel (2006). The family would like to say a special thanks to Dr. Floyd Pirtle, Estella Gomez, and Wanda Davis of AccentCare Hospice for their continuous care and love of AP in his final days.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com for the Piña family.