Samuel Alejandro Peña

Sam spent his elementary youth in Laredo and Brownsville, Texas. He spent his adolescence and adulthood in Austin, Texas. Sam attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, St. Edward’s High School, and McCallum High School. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in international business from The University of Texas at Austin.

On March 14, 1979, Sam married the love of his life Cynthia “Cindy” Peña. Together they built a life full of love, laughter, and family. Over the years, life took them to Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Amarillo and Austin, Texas. In later years, they settled in Hutto, Texas continuing to stay close to family.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Sam built a lifelong career in the retail shoe industry. He began working part time with his father at Thom McAn, and eventually built a career on his own. Sam worked for Naturalizer, Gattis Shoe Stores, Famous Footwear, and retired as a retail manager at Rack Room Shoes. Sam was committed to his work, dedicated to the people he worked with, and the people he served. He was naturally an altruistic person that was always willing to lend a hand. After retirement, Sam continued to stay busy; working part time at HEB, always stepping in wherever he was needed. 

Sam will always be remembered for his kindness, patience, and easygoing nature. He had a quick wit and a special way of finding humor even in tough moments. He was someone people could always turn to, with a listening ear, thoughtful guidance, and a steady presence. He worked hard, cared deeply for those around him, and had a gift for finding the bright side- even on the darker days. No matter where he was, he could find a good time and make others feel right at home.

He enjoyed fishing, gardening, grilling, listening to music of all kinds, and watching his beloved Longhorns and Astros. He loved road trips to visit family, working through his daily crossword puzzles, and staying active, often walking miles each day. Sam had an impeccable vocabulary, knowledge of history, geography and world events. He was well read and could converse on many topics and enjoyed deep conversations.

Some of the most meaningful memories with Sam were the many family trips across Texas: Victoria, Laredo, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Port Aransas. Wherever family was-he felt happiest. Whether it was a day at the beach, watching a game together, listening to live music, or simply catching up over a glass of wine-those moments meant everything.

Sam was a devout Catholic and proud member of the Knights of Columbus. 

He is survived by his loving wife Cindy, his daughters: Angela Peña, Theresa Harbert, and Olivia Stiba, his grandchildren: Azara Shokouhi, Allira Harbert, Zoe Harbert, Ashton Stiba, Taya Kappeler, and Kolton Kappeler, his sons in laws, JD Kappeler, Dustin Harbert, and Ryan Stiba, his sister Rose Storey and her husband Lee Storey, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Rosa Maria Peña and Hector Ancira Peña, and his brother Hector Michael Peña.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Austin, Texas. A gathering with light refreshments will follow. The placement of his ashes will take place at 1:00 PM at Cook Walden Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to a local charity or place of worship; honoring Sam’s spirit of generosity, and his desire to help those who need it most.

Sam will be deeply missed, but his light will always be with us. His ability to listen without judgment, find positivity and hope will be something that will always be remembered within the legacy he created in our hearts.