FEATURED: Robert Peña, Jr., 58, a former Edinburg Democratic state legislative candidate, longtime school board trustee, economic development leader, and veteran of Operation Desert Storm, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, passed away. He was a 2012 Democratic candidate for District 40 of the Texas House of Representatives, which was won by current Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg. Peña is also known for serving as a member of the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District (ECISD) from 2008 to 2020, including holding the positions of president and vice president of that governing board.
Photograph Courtesy RGV DETACHMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
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Robert Peña, Jr., 58, former state legislative candidate, longtime Edinburg school board trustee, economic development leader, and veteran of Operation Desert Storm, passes away
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
Robert Peña, Jr., 58, a former Edinburg Democratic state legislative candidate, longtime school board trustee, economic development leader, and veteran of Operation Desert Storm, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, passed away.
He is survived by his loving wife, Denise; his sons, Joshua and Josiah; his father, Roberto Sr.; three sisters, Anabelle, Hilda, and Nelda; numerous nephews and nieces; and his cherished second family, his in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his mother, María, and his sister, Genoveva.
He was a 2012 Democratic candidate for District 40 of the Texas House of Representatives, which was won by current Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg.
“I have known Robert Peña for over twenty years. We first worked together on energy issues with the new power plant, which was under construction at the time on Monte Cristo Road, across from Magic Valley Co-Op,” said Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen.
“He was energetic and had the discipline of a Marine. He strongly believed in our country, public service, and family values,” added the longtime Valley state senator, who was a U.S. Marine Corps combat squad leader in Vietnam. “He was also active with Marine Corps veterans and always found ways to help those in need. He will be missed.
“May he rest in peace and be in Heaven,” Hinojosa concluded.
The saying “May he rest in peace and be in Heaven” is a traditional blessing for someone who has died. It expresses the wish that their soul finds eternal tranquility, free from worldly suffering, and that they are welcomed into the presence of God or the afterlife.
Peña, a former U.S. Marines platoon sergeant, whose nine-year military career included service in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq during the first Persian Gulf War, was the president and leader of Texas Energy Consultants in Edinburg, a firm he established to provide specialized energy solutions.
https://texasenergyconsultants.co/
He proudly served his country as a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Upon returning from Kuwait, he continued his education and graduated from Texas Tech University.
Operation Desert Storm was the combat phase of the 1991 Gulf War, a U.S.-led military offensive executed by a 35-nation coalition to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. It began on January 16, 1991, with an intense aerial bombing campaign and concluded with a decisive 100-hour ground assault that successfully liberated Kuwait.
Among numerous public reactions to his passing came from The Marine Corps League Rio Grande Valley Detachment #1456, which is a 501(c)(4) non-profit veterans organization based in Edinburg, and which is dedicated to serving Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and FMF Chaplains in the Rio Grande Valley area.
“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a very special friend and Marine. Robert Peña, Jr. was a true leader, hero, and inspiration to so many. Thank you for your service, your friendship, and the memories that will stay with us forever. You will always be remembered and deeply missed. Semper Fi,” its members announced on its website. “Please keep his family and our Marine Corps family in your prayers while dealing with this devastating loss.”
A Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Corpsman is a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman assigned to Marine Corps Units, serving as a combat medic or “Doc” for Marines. They provide primary, emergency, and advanced medical care in austere, high-stress battlefield environments, wearing Marine uniforms and adhering to Marine physical standards, often reformed to as “greensiders”.
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=what+is+a+FMF+Corpsmen&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
A Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Chaplain is a U.S. Navy chaplain who has earned the specialized FMF qualification pin, designating them as trained to provide religious ministry, spiritual support, and counseling directly to Marine Corps units in field, combat, or sea-based environments.
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=what+is+a+FMF+Chaplain?&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Former Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina, an honorably-discharged U.S. Army veteran who served in Operation Joint Forge-Bosnia, expressed the sentiments of other South Texas leaders and residents.
“Today’s news hit hard. Saddened by the passing of Robert Peña, former school board member, a friend, fellow veteran, and a man who served his community with honor,” Molina said. “My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him. Thank you for your service and dedication. Rest easy, brother.”
He served the Edinburg community with dedication as a member of the Board of Trustees, Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District, from 2008 to 2020, including holding the positions of president and vice president of that governing board.
“Today, we lost a hometown here,” Xavier Salinas, President, Board of Trustees, Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District, told the Progress-Times of Mission. “Robert Peña was an example of a true leader. His caring heart, love for Edinburg CISD, which he served…exemplifies who he was. He will be missed by many.”
He was the first elected official from the Lower Rio Grande Valley to represent the region on the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Board.
In a Facebook posting, Edinburg AFT Local Union 6583 sent to his loved ones “its deepest condolences to the Peña family. As a former (ECISD) board member, Robert worked alongside our union for the betterment of Edinburg CISD for all. Rest in peace, Robert.”
Edinburg AFT Local Union 6583 is a labor union representing education employees and school staff in the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District. Affiliated with Texas AFT and the American Federation of Teachers, they advocate for worker rights, workplace safety, fair compensation, and public education policies.
Many people also knew Peña from his time spent as the executive director of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation – the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg City Council – which saw him work with political and business leaders to help usher a new age of economic prosperity and improved quality of life for his hometown.
Before being elected and reelected to the Edinburg school board, Peña was the administrative leader of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) from 1994 to 2001.
During his tenure with the EEDC, he played a key role in landing major economic projects from the city, including the combined $500 million of two privately-owned power plants, and entertainment venues such as the multi-million dollar Edinburg Baseball Stadium (now owned by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley), and Carmike 20 Cinemas, now AMC Edinburg 18.
Also under his leadership with the EEDC, the city secured nearly 30 developmental projects that injected hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy.
Peña served as the top leader of Texas Energy Consultants from August 2001 until his death.
One of the many highlights of Texas Energy Consultants’ successes were detailed on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Texas Energy Consultants, a leading firm specializing in energy management and cost reduction strategies for U.S. based companies, announced a significant achievement: the successful procurement of over $25 million in tax savings for its data center, renewable energy and cryptocurrency clients during the first half of 2025 (January – May 31st).
This substantial financial benefit was realized through the strategic utilization of state tax abatement and tax exemption programs. Texas Energy Consultants has a proven track record of assisting businesses across various industries in navigating the complexities of state tax incentives.
Texas Energy Consultants worked closely with its clients to identify applicable programs, develop compelling applications, and ensure compliance throughout the process. Their comprehensive approach allows businesses to focus on their core operations while benefiting from substantial tax relief. This significant achievement in the first half of 2025 underscores Texas Energy Consultants’ commitment to providing exceptional value by utilizing their expertise to drive financial success for their clients.
Also according to his obituary:
He was born in Edinburg on Sunday, November 12, 1967, to Roberto Peña, Sr. and María Peña. After graduating from Edinburg High School, Peña enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he embraced the values of discipline, sacrifice, loyalty, and service.
Peña’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early, beginning with selling his mother’s candy apples door to door. That same drive guided him throughout his life, most notably as the leader of Texas Energy Consultants, where he worked to provide innovative solutions to energy needs.
He began his greatest journey when he married Dora Denise González. Together, they welcomed their sons, Joshua and Josiah, who became their greatest joy. A firm believer in the power of education, Peña never forgot the teachers and schools in Edinburg that shaped his path. His gratitude inspired a deep commitment to ensuring that all children had access to quality education.
A rosary in Peña’s honor was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Legacy Chapels, 4610 South Jackson Road in Edinburg. Funeral mass took place at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Holy Family Church in Edinburg. Interment with full military honors followed at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission. In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing an educational fund for his sons. Contributions may be made by check or by contacting his wife, Denise, for information. Funeral services were under the direction of Legacy Chapels in Edinburg.
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