It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Manuel Jesse Pena, a beloved husband, father, and friend. Jesse fell asleep in death on December 2, 2023, having been born on July 23, 1954.

Jesse was a man of charm, humor, adventure and industry. His charismatic nature, coupled with his knack for making people laugh, made him a joy to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His adventurous spirit took him on many journeys, both literal and figurative, but his industrious character always ensured these were journeys of purpose and productivity. Many of those journeys included volunteering for construction projects around the US. 

He is survived by his devoted spouse of 44 years, Fern Pena, whose love and partnership was a testament to their shared life journey. Together, they brought into the world four wonderful children, Sabrina Campbell, Jaclyn Parman, Cristina Hamilton, and Dylon Pena. These were some of Jesse's greatest accomplishments.

One of the beaconing events that set the course of his life was his baptism on July 17, 1970 as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  This was when his love for God and creation was solidified. These beliefs formed the foundation of the lessons he imparted – to love God, Family and Creation.  His legacy is a testament to these principles, which shone through not only in his human relationships but also in his actions. 

Jesse started working as a teenager for his father’s and uncle’s drywall companies along with his cousins. Oh, the stories they can tell.  After he married Fern, they moved to Guam where he volunteered to help build a Branch Office for Jehovah’s Witnesses.  There he did concrete, drywall and purchasing work.  After returning to the mainland, he stayed in construction and worked as a Superintendent for multi-family apartments for Lincoln Property Co and others.  Over time he became a Project Manager and continued to build for BRE Properties, WPM Construction and The Weitz Company, among others.  This work took him from the East Coast to Hawaii which he loved as he had an adventurous nature and was able to meet people of all cultures.  Later on, he worked as a Construction Administration Manager for Kephart Architects. He enjoyed working with Paul Campbell and the other architects to provide multi-family projects for Lennar Homes, Trammel Crow and other major US builders. During his construction years, no matter where he was living, he used his time and resources to further the Kingdom message that gave him the hope he has for the future.  He volunteered on various remodels and new builds of Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls where he made lifelong friendships.

Jesse’s love for the outdoors was shared with his wife and children wherever they lived. He took his family on camping trips, road trips to visit family, Disneyland, and to his favorite place, Yosemite National Park. 

A memorial service to celebrate Jesse’s life will be held on January 28, 2024, at 4:00 PM at 1930 Avenida del Oro. We invite all who knew and loved Jesse to join us in remembering and celebrating a life lived to its fullest in dedication to Jehovah God.

Jesse will continue to be remembered in our hearts for his laughter, charming personality, his love for God and Creation. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and life lessons that will continue to influence and inspire all who knew him.

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