continue to RIP Jose Pena

Subject: FW: Yellow Roses

-----Original Message-----

From: Alan Propp
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2001 10:54 AM
To: Blake and Vibeke; 'Bill Goodwin'
Cc: Many Others
Dear Blake,

We missed you and the others who couldn't attend Jose's wake and funeral. The rosary reading service on Wednesday was a very touching tribute to our friend and family member. My favorite story of the evening was Reshinka's (sp?) telling of the her and Jose's tradition of emptying the RV toilet as near to Kyle Field as possible after the A&M games. Classic Jose! And way to go Reshinka. At the rosary service there were pictures of Jose with probably all of his 10,000 friends. The best one was one taken by the Austin American
Statesmen of Jose cheering ecstatically and waving a Texas flag at an OU game. You, Sheryl, Scott and others were right there with him.
The priest at the funeral on Thursday did a nice job of urging the rest of us to live our lives as Jose had - to the fullest. At the graveside service a couple guys who I didn't know played the guitar and harmonica and sang.
They started with a touching country tune, followed by "Amazing Grace," and then finally, and fittingly, "The Eyes of Texas." They played the Eyes twice, the first time in a slow, mournful way that had tears streaming down my face. The second time through they played it in a fast, fun, upbeat manner that Jose would have loved. It was great.
The party at Scholz's was just as Jose would have wanted it, plenty of laughter, food, and, of course, beer. It was a typical sunny and hot Texas day, one that Jose likely would have finished by having a beer with friends
at a local watering hole.

His death has left a void in all our lives, one that won't soon be filled. I'm sure that his wish would be for us to fill it for eachother, and carry on the traditions that he started.

Take care,
Alan Propp

PS. I tried to put down in words my feelings for Jose in a letter to him. I thought you might enjoy reading it. Here it is.






Jose,

You were one of those rare beings whose simple presence brought joy to my heart. Your passion might have been sports, but your humanity is what defined you. You had more than just the gift being able to lift the spirits
of those you touched.you were very spirit itself.
I met you at a neighborhood bar. You were with friends, Jerry, Mace, others, having fun as always. That night I happened to be on the worst date of my life. I only vaguely remember the girl, but I'll never be able to thank her
enough because it was through her that I met you. A few nights later I ran into you again and it was you who remembered me first. That's the way you were Jose, quick to make friends and steadfast in keeping them.
We shared many great times together, from going to Longhorns and Cowboys games, to taking road trips, to just having a beer together on a Thursday evening, or a Friday, or a Saturday, or well, you know. We spent time
exploring Muir Woods together, going to the Ranger's opening day games with a hundred of your closest friends, and just hanging out. I will always treasure your two visits to Colorado this year. Both weekends were so memorable and so full of laughter and cheer. Whether it was going to a game, hiking up a mountain, or swooshing down one, yours was the easiest, happiest, best companionship I have ever known. You never complained, uttered a harsh word, or gave a cross look, and you never took life too seriously. I don't know how you did it, but you did, and I just hope some of your soul rubbed off on the rest of us. Throughout your life your indomitable spirit shined through. You were a breath of fresh air to all those who knew you, especially me. As a friend of mine said, "Jose burned bright." I couldn't have put it better.
I loved you, Jose, and I will always cherish your memory and our friendship. When telling some other friends about your death I said that, since Jose died so young and seemingly full of life, it just goes to show that you
should live every day like it's your last. But what I should have said was that you should live every day like it was one of Jose's.

Take care, my friend. I'll miss you. And by the way, OU still sucks!

Orangeblood Owner Administrator 1000+ posts
Goodbye and rest in peace, Jose 7/7/01 03:13 PM

This may be the most difficult post I've ever written. Earlier this afternoon, Jose was taken off the ventilator and quietly passed into God's hands 30-40 minutes later. I'm sure with all my soul that God was waiting for him with open arms. Unfortunately, that doesn't assauge the intense grief that I feel. Truly, the Longhorn community and EVERY community that Jose ever became related to has suffered an inestimable loss.
Jose embodied the ideals that we all wish for. He lived his life to the fullest and always had kind words and a helping hand for ANYBODY that needed them.
We don't know when or where the services are yet, but we will post the information when we know as long as Jose's family is comfortable with us doing so.
I would ask that this thread become a testament of who Jose was and how Jose will live with us always in our hearts and in our memories. Please post your stories and memories of Jose below for those that may not be able to make the services and so that all of us can add to our own stories and memories.










SWTBrent sect2row7 < 100 posts
Re: Goodbye and rest in peace, Jose 7/7/01 03:36 PM Sat, 7/7/01, 3:20 p.m.

I just logged on, hoping to see some good news about Jose, and saw this depressing post of his passing. Now is the time to celebrate the life of a truly good human being. Jose's enthusiasm for life, including UT sports, was most uplifting and heartening for me. I always felt more positive about things when I was around Jose.
RIP, Jose. You still live as long as we that knew you keep your memory in our hearts and minds. Make way up there for those of us who continue to to struggle down here.

Hook 'em ... always
You can win them all, if you're good enough" - Coach Gus


Frank from LSU Baseball
Re: Goodbye and rest in peace, Jose 7/7/01 05:10 PM
You will always’s live on in our heart’s. You have been a big brother to me for 18 years, and a best friend to my Mom and Grandmother. We all know you are now in a better place with God, and that you will alway's be there at every UT game watching over us and rooting for the Horn's with us in the 4th quarter. Beat the hell out of A&M and OU still sucks! We will all miss your vibrant personality and the love you had for Horn's and your Friend's and Famialy. Forever Hook ‘em and we love you!

-Jon and Grandmommy


Re: Goodbye and rest in peace, Jose 7/7/01 05:57 PM
To Jose's Family, I am truly sorry to hear that Jose has left you. He was truly an inspiration to me and to my family. I guess I am in total disbelief. Jose will always remain in my heart. Now, I don't know what I'll do at the ball games. I always looked for the infamous UT flag and went and visited with him, almost 30 years now. Jose always greeted me like I was a long lost best friend. He always treated my children and husband like we were a part of his family. I will truly miss Jose's cute laugh and precious UT smile. He inspired me to eat salads to lose those "extra" pounds to fit in our cheerleader outfits for the reunions. I will miss him always...Love,

Karla Shelby
Cheerleader 70-71


Re: Goodbye and rest in peace, Jose 7/7/01 11:17 PM
I met Jose about 6 years ago on a flight out to Lubbock for a UT - Tech game. He did not know me from Adam but just because I was a Longhorn wanted to include me in with his group going to and from the game. I was taken back by how friendly he was and was not frankly sure what to think. But I came to understand that was just the way he was - if you were a Longhorn - you could do no wrong inhis eyes. I only wish I was as personable as he was - he left this Earth with more friends than most of us put together.

Good bless him and his family.
Steve Adams, Dallas
"The Eyes of Texas are upon you"





OrangeBull < 100 posts
Re: Goodbye and rest in peace, Jose 7/7/01 11:18 PM
Our world is saddened today. We have lost one of our dearest, closest and most respected friends. Jose brightened our lives with his goofy smiles, his wild, non-matching outfits, his unconventional phrases and his everlasting spirit. He had an unwavering dedication to his mom, his sisters and his brothers.
He is an icon to those who knew him well, his acquaintances and those who had infrequent, but unforgettable encounters with Jose. All you had to say was the guy waving the TEXAS flag and they knew who you were talking about.
He has friends from coast to coast, border to border. How many times have we gone on road trips with Jose to all parts of this great country, gone into a bar or restaurant we’ve never heard of or been to, and someone yells, HEY JOSE! He is unforgettable. Jose loved the Longhorns. Him waving the TEXAS Flag at Football and Baseball games is indelibly forged in my memory. I will always see him wherever I am. His enthusiasm for sports was contagious as was his enthusiasm for life. We are all better people for knowing Jose.
HEY JOSE, we miss you. Watch over us and keep waving your TEXAS Flag. We love you man! Adios.

Anonymous Re: Goodbye and rest in peace, Jose 7/7/01 11:30 PM
I guess this post is no big surprise, given the struggle that we knew Jose was enduring, but I am in absolute shock as I realise I'll never see that little guy again. He was such a joy to be around and was always good for a big smile and a lot of mischief.
Notre Dame may dress up a guy in a leprechaun outfit and parade him around at games, but WE didn't have to, 'cause we had our Jose down there waving that flag and raising hell like no leprechaun ever could. I'll never forget our times together with the Wild Bunch in the 70's and the happy and sad times in Omaha. There will never be another Jose, the likes of him we'll never see again. As far as I'm concerned, from now on if I'm ever at a Longhorn baseball game, come the middle of the fifth inning, I'll be standing and looking skyward and raising my cup and yelling, "Hey, Jose and Frank, it's the bottom of the 5th!" May God's light ever shine upon you Jose, and I hope to see your spirit someday on the other side.

Rest in peace.
Rudy Stefancik, M.D.
Grand Rapids, MI


Brazos Bevo 10+ posts
Re: Goodbye and rest in peace, Jose 7/8/01 02:52 AM
I'm not sure when or if I'll be able to put into words the part Jose has played in my life for the last 20+ years. It may take some time for me to get there but OrangeBull summed it up well.
I did want to share with everyone that Jose went peacefully and in no pain. He was surrounded by his family and many of his dear friends. We prayed with the priest who blessed him and sang the "Eyes of Texas." Actually, I don't know if any of us were able to sing too many words at that point.
Everyone was touching Jose as he left us and we told him over and over how much we loved him. At one point Jose's sister asked, " What time is it?" and everyone responded, "It's 1:20 and OU still Sucks!" The ICU nurses weren't sure if we were saying good by or sending him off with a pep rally.
Letting go of Jose today was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, and I'm not sure if I've totally let him go yet. He fought the good fight and is now in a much better place with his mother, Rose, brother,George and sister Stella. We weren't sure if Rose would greet him with a kick in the @#$% for letting himself get so sick or be giving him a big hug telling him he was finally home. If you knew Rose - probably both . . . in that order.
Please, please, please keep Jose's sister and brother, Susan and Ricky and their families in your prayers as well as Chris and Lisa, Stella's children. They have suffered a lot of loss in a very short period of time. Thanks to everyone for their prayers and support for Jose the last month. You were felt by Jose and his family.
 
RIP, Jose. He was my mom's cousin, and I wish I'd had a chance to get to know him better before he passed away. He's an inspiration to me every time I go to a Longhorn game.
hookem.gif
 
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