Joseph Penaloza

A Memorial gathering will be held Saturday, April 9, 2-4 pm, at the Tierra Linda Clubhouse.\r\n\r\nThose wishing to contribute to the memory of Colonel Joseph M. Penaloza, may do so as a Memorial Donation to the Fisher House Foundation, https://www.fisherhouse.org/ways-to-give/ . \r\n\r\nColonel Joseph M. Penaloza was born in San Antonio, Texas, September 29, 1933 to Joe Penaloza and Olinda Herrera Penaloza. His family on his mother's side descends from Francisco Arocha, one of those who came to settle in the area from the Canary Islands in 1731, and from Jose Francisco Ruiz and Jose Antonio Navarro, the two native Texan signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. \r\n \r\nUpon graduating from Central Catholic High School in 1952 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the war in Korea. In 1957 he married Lydia Jean Villarreal. A year later he completed his master's degree in social work, writing a thesis on the overlooked cost of gentrification relocations in downtown San Antonio in separating small business owners from their clientele. He next went to work in the Veterans Hospital in Waco, Texas, where he supervised the community residents' program locating veterans in sponsoring families' homes. His own family with Lydia numbered four children by this time. In 1989 he relocated to the VA hospital in Kerrville, where he worked until his retirement in 1995. Mr. Penaloza simultaneously accomplished a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, Medical Service Branch, ultimately attaining the rank of Colonel. His training included the AMEDD Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Installation Intelligence Course, AMEDD Command and General Staff College, and Reserve Component National Security Course, where he was named to the Commandant's List. After serving in several positions at the 94th General Hospital, he was promoted to Executive Officer. As Chief of Security Plans and Operations at the 807th Medical Brigade, he helped plan and conduct operations Dusty Bull 1981, 1984, and 1988, the latter being the largest Capstone medical exercise since WWII. As Commander of the 341st Medical Group, his unit was designated part of the Rapid Deployment Force. He last served as Chief of Staff, 807th Medical Brigade. For his military service to the nation, Joseph Penaloza was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Expert Field Medical Badge, Korean Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. At his retirement celebration staff from the 807th presented him with a framed window that he cherished. The window signifies a statement he once made, that what marked the excellence of the Brigade staff was that when a job needed to be done, no one, including him, was too high in rank to do it, even if it meant washing windows. \r\n \r\nJoseph Penaloza worked to the best of his ability, as soldier, husband, father, brother, and friend, and inspired those around him to do the same. \r\n \r\nAway from work, he enjoyed playing golf, keeping abreast of current political events and sports, especially the Texas A&M Aggies, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Dallas Cowboys, smoking his pipe, and simply passing time with family and friends at his beloved home at Tierra Linda. \r\n \r\nHe is survived by many who loved him, his wife, Elsie, daughters Lisa, Sonya, and Christa, son John, grandson Hunter, stepchildren Ben and Tracie, brothers Robert, Dan, and Paul, and their children. \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n