Richard R Pena

Richard R. Pena passed away peacefully, Friday, July 5, 2024 at the age of 88, in Eagar, Arizona; surrounded by his family.

Richard was born September 11, 1935 to Joe Pena and Lola Romero Pena in a house known as Paisley Place on Main Street in Eagar. It is still there today. His family moved to Morenci, Arizona where he attended school through seventh grade and then moved to Springerville, Arizona to finish eighth grade through high school.

He worked many jobs at a young age to help his parents including setting pins at the Springerville Bowling Alley, pumping gas at Becker Station, maintenance at the El Rio Theater and loading railroad ties for the McNary Railroad. In 1958, he was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany. There, he met many friends and traveled to many places including Madrid, Spain and Paris, France.

Richard met Sophie Baca after the Army and they eloped in November of 1961. They were married through the Catholic Church on December 16, of that same year. After they married, he worked at the Uranium Mines in Grants, New Mexico. In 1962, they moved back to Eagar and he worked at Southwest Forest Industries where he retired. He then worked for the Town of Eagar and fulfilled a second retirement.

Richard had many hobbies including bowling, hunting, fishing and gardening, but his passion was music. He truly loved to sing. He sang when traveling in the car while tapping on the high beam switch on the floorboard to the beat of the music.

Richard and Sophie have 5 children and are blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Sophie of 63 years, his children, Dorothy Silva, Donna Myers, Debra Stonestreet, Albert Pena, Kenneth Pena, sister, Gladys Silva and brothers, Charlie Pena and Joey Pena.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Lola Pena, sisters, Helen Chavez and Lugie Logan, brothers, Albert Pena and George Pena, grandson, Michael Pena and son-in-law, Robert Gomez, Jr.

Rosary will be held Saturday, June 20, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Springerville, followed by a memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m.