Henry Gonzales Pena

On December 1st, 2020, we said goodbye to a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Henry Gonzales Peña, known to many as coach Peña and brother Peña, walked through heaven’s gates and was reunited with his father, Carlos. Henry, the second child born to Carlos and Andrea Peña grew up in Ballinger, Texas with his two brothers: Lorenzo and Lloyd. He graduated from Ballinger High School and was a proud Ballinger Bearcat for life. In 1975, he married his childhood sweetheart, Ernestina De La Cruz of Winters, Texas. Together they had three children and four grandchildren, who affectionately call him Welo. Henry and his wife are members of Southland Baptist Church. Dad loved people and touched the lives of so many. Throughout his life, he was honored to have been invited into homes to pray over families, into churches to lead people to the Lord, and into classrooms to guide and teach young minds. Henry graduated from Angelo State University with a B.A. degree. He was ordained by Primera Iglesias Baptist Church and followed the Lord’s calling to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He received his Master of Divinity in Missions in 1987. While attending seminary, he pastored several missions in Eden, Mineral Wells and Fort Worth before moving to Modesto, California to start a mission. The following year, the family moved back to San Angelo to be closer to their loved ones. He started Friendship Baptist Mission in San Angelo, Texas where he served as pastor. Henry taught and coached at Edison Junior High for San Angelo Independent School District for 25 years until he retired in 2008. Shortly after retirement, he returned to work as a bus driver for both San Angelo Independent School District and Angelo State University. Henry is survived by his mother, Andrea Peña; his loving wife, Ernestina Peña; daughter Allison Knight and her husband Justin Knight of San Angelo, Texas; daughter, Audra Peña and Amanda Figueroa of Willis, Texas; son, Adrian Peña and his wife Cady Peña of Carbon, Texas and four grandchildren Kaya Knight, Ruby Peña, Hank Peña and Amos Peña. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Shannon Medical Center for Henry’s medical care during these trying times. We also thank his family, church family and friends for their love and support. He truly loved you all. A memorial service to honor Henry Peña is pending and will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Southland Baptist Building Fund, or Water for All - Waller Fund.