Dean Peña

             A Visitation for Dean Peña, 75, of Hudson, will be held Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin.

            Mr. Peña was born on February 27, 1949, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Rudolph Peña and Leona (Gilbert) Peña, and died Thursday, September 19, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

            Mr. Peña met the love of his life, Beverly, at the age of 14 in 1963 and was devoted to her from that moment on. They built a life together based on love and devotion. They married on July 14, 1969, and enjoyed 55 years of marriage. They moved from Kentucky to Texas in 1981 and settled in Hudson, Texas in 1987. Mr. Peña loved his family with his whole heart and never missed a family event or opportunity to help them. He enjoyed cooking, baking, building furniture for his family, and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities. Mr. Peña loved to sing, and was the lead singer of his high school band. He worked in the grocery business, and owned two convenience stores, Peña’s Speedy Market, where he fried donuts, baked, and decorated cakes. Mr. Peña retired from Frito Lay in 2013. He taught us many lessons including hard work, compassion, and love for family. His smile would light up a room filling his whole face with joy.

           He is survived by his wife, Beverly Peña; mother, Leona Peña of Lexington, KY; daughter, Misty Ratliff and husband Reagan of Lufkin; daughter, Lyndee Matthews of Leander; daughter, Karrah Hernandez of Hudson; grandchildren, Erik Boonstra of Omaha, NE, Derik Boonstra of Waco, Dean Patrick Matthews of Leander, Kaitlyn Matthews of Leander, Addison Matthews of Leander, and Margaret Hernandez of Hudson; great-granddaughter, Juliette Matthews of Leander; sister, Lynett Peña of Minnesota; brother, Warren Peña of Kentucky; brother, Kevin Peña of Kentucky; brother, Brian Peña of Alabama; brother-in-law, Malcolm Stallons of Kentucky, brother-in-law, Scott Newby and wife Angie of Kentucky, and sister-in-law, Debbie Franklin of Kentucky along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

            Mr. Peña was preceded in death by his father, Rudolph Peña; mother-in-law, Margaret Newby; grandparents; and best friend, Orville Barnhart.

            Honorary pallbearers will be Malcolm Stallons, Scott Newby, Reagan Ratliff, Erik Boonstra, Derik Boonstra, Dean Patrick Matthews, Brian Peña, Warren Peña, and Kevin Peña.

            Special memorials may be made to Affinity Hospice,  2708 S Medford Dr Lufkin, TX 75901.

            Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.