Elmo Pena

Elmo Peña, 80, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, Tio, and friend passed away peacefully on Saturday January 1, 2022, in Grants, NM.  Elmo was born July 2, 1941, in La Madera, New Mexico to Laborin Pena, Sr and Erminda (Gallegos) Peña.  After graduating high school, he took a job with Bueno Foods as a delivery driver in New Mexico and Colorado. He then completed his training and worked as a “Hot Shot”, fighting wildfires throughout the western United States.  In 1960 He began mining in Colorado. In 1962 along with is brothers and beloved Mother, relocated to Grants, New Mexico where he and his brothers took jobs as Uranium Miners. Elmo married Betty Lucero in 1964, they were blessed with a son and two daughters. Elmo worked for Kerr-McGee as a Uranium Miner until 1980, when he took a job in Las Vegas, Nevada, as a Nuclear Weapons Worker with where he remained until his retirement. He was a proud member of the Laborers Local 872 for over 20 years. I Elmo was a lifelong Democrat who NEVER missed an election.

Elmo had a lifelong love of classic Chevy cars and trucks and enjoyed collecting and restoring them. He loved showing his collection and was a regular at the car shows.  He enjoyed cheering for his Denver Broncos, deer hunting and trout fishing, and was a master gardener, and took up bowling after his retirement. He could be found every Sunday in worship services and looked forward to spending time on his front porch with his dearest friends who stopped by daily. Elmo was truly a “morning person”, waking up happy every day.  He whistled from sunup to sundown and was gifted with a positive outlook and great sense of humor.

He is survived by his children: Patricia Peña (Eugene), Raymond Peña, Beverly Peña.   Grandchildren: Jason Whetten, Rachel Whetten (Casy), Steven Whetten, JeNae Knudsen (Spencer), Samantha Peña, Andrew Peña, Raymond Manzanares, Reina Peña. Great Grandchildren: Jaden Whetten, MaKenna Whetten, Jack Whetten, Eliana Whetten, Draxtin Whetten, and Ava Manzanares.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Laborin Pena Sr., and Erminda (Gallegos) Peña, Brothers: Laborin Peña,Jr, Isaias Peña Celestino Peña, Anselmo Peña, Prudencio Peña, Sisters: Abranita Lucero, Adonelia Ortega, Clarita Montoya, Sisters in law: Mabel Peña, Rebecca Peña.

The Peña family has entrusted the Rivera Family Funeral Home of Espanola with the gentle care of their beloved.

Elmo will be interred at Trujillo Cemetery in La Madera, New Mexico at a private Family Funeral.  A celebration of life will be held when we may all gather safely.