Santana & Lydia Peña

Santana Peña, Sr. passed away May 18, 2019 in Bastrop, Texas. He and his wife, Lydia Tamez Peña, will be jointly buried on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at 10 am at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi, TX. A memorial service will follow immediately at Treviño Funeral Home, 3006 Niagara, Corpus Christi, TX.

Santana was born in Falfurrias, Texas to Juan and Guadalupe Peña on May 30, 1934. Lydia was born in Premont, Texas to Pedro and Emma Tamez on August 30, 1935. Santana and Lydia met at a dance in 1952 and for them, it was love at first sight. They were married on April 12, 1953 and were married for 63 years at the time of Lydia’s death on August 18, 2016. Both were born right before the 1929 depression ended; times were hard. Both were blessed to be born to monetarily poor but hard working and very loving parents.

Santana, an airman in the Air Force, was stationed at Ft. Bliss AFB in El Paso so Lydia joined him. Santana and family lived in South Dakota, Germany, Spain, Wichita Falls, California, and Austin. Santana also served in Vietnam. Santana retired from the Air Force in 1978.

Both the Tamez and Peña families are so proud of Santana’s and Lydia’s achievements. Lydia was right there as Santana was promoted 9 times, starting as a young airman and retiring as a chief master sergeant; the highest rank for a non-commissioned officer.

Once settled in Bastrop, Lydia and Santana were very active in Ascension Catholic Church and stayed active until medical issues kept them from participating. The Bastrop fire of 2011 burned down the family home, but it did not burn their spirit. As a last loving tribute to Lydia, Santana had a memorial pergola built to honor her.

Santana is preceded in death by parents, Juan and Guadalupe Pena; brothers, Emilio (Lupita), Sandalio, Heliberto (Tekla), and Juan Jr.; and sisters, Paulita Montemayor, Lupita Mendez (Fito), and Oralia Vela (Gilberto).

Lydia is preceded in death by parents, Pedro and Emma Tamez; sister, Viola Vasquez (Matilde), and sister, Maria Louisa Gonzales (Gregorio) followed in 2019.

Both were preceded in death by great-granddaughter, Julia Giselle Gil-Gaston.

Santana and Lydia are survived by their children, Nora McFadden, Santana Peña, Jr., Javier Peña, David Peña, Toni Perrone (Guy Bielke), Nidia Hiroms (Michael Hiroms), and Mario Peña; 8 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Santana is survived by his siblings, Nicolas Peña, Onofre Peña (Tina), Maria Elena Benavides, and Enedelia Solis (Jose Solis). Lydia is survived by her siblings, Raul Tamez (Norma Tamez), Pedro Tamez (Tencha Tamez), Emma Stansel (Eliseo Stansel), and Diana Holt (Bill Holt).

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Standards Hospice, Resolutions Hospice, numerous VA doctors and nurses, and many special individuals for the love and care shown to our parents.