Rafael Antonio Mena, age 49, of McKinney, Texas, passed away April 1, 2016. He was born in Juarez, Mexico to Ignacio and Francisca (Ornelas) Mena. Rafael had a passion for learning how things worked and decided to pursue a career in electrical engineering. He obtained a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso, MS degree in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University and a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University.
Rafael A. Mena accepted a position with NASA in Cleveland, Ohio to do research in quantum well structure. After pursuing his PhD in Electrical Engineering, he moved back to the southwest and joined Texas Instruments (TI). He had a number of roles during his 20 year career with TI. He was a Systems Architect driving industrial efforts inside of the Micro Controllers (MCU) organization and drove CMOS development efforts. Dr. Rafael A. Mena was motivational force behind the Hispanic/Latinos Initiative (UNIDOS) in seeking ways to help and promote talent. He had a passion for career development and was enthusiastic about helping to lead the efforts in the UNIDOS mentoring program. He was a highly respected and experienced engineer.
Dr. Rafael A. Mena was a very active member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Allen, Texas. He was a member of Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP), catechist with the Junior Youth Ministry and part of the Outreach to Honduras Mission team.
Dr. Rafael A Mena enjoyed exercise and fitness. He ran several marathons and received a black belt in martial arts with his son. He was also an entrepreneur and together with his wife opened a Spanish immersion preschool in McKinney.
Dr. Rafael A. Mena is survived by his wife, Ann Salcido Mena and children Arianna and Diego Mena all of McKinney, Texas; parents, Ignacio and Francisca Mena of Maricopa, Arizona; siblings, Francisca Benavides and husband Pete of Phoenix, AZ, Ignacio Mena, Jr. and wife Dagmar of Foothills Ranch, California, Teresita Amaro and husband Isauro of Tempe, Arizona, Felipe Mena and wife Acela of El Paso, Texas, Jose Mena of Maricopa, Arizona, Lilly Franco Martinez and husband Mark of Anna, Texas; many nieces and nephews and other loving relatives and friends.
A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 8, 2016 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville Avenue, Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation, being held from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at Turrentine-Jackson Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expwy N., Allen, Texas.
Rafael will be forever remembered as a devoted husband, loving and ever present father, caring son and brother, compassionate friend and advocate for those in need. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made under Dr. Rafael A. Mena’s name to the St. Jude Catholic Church Outreach to Honduras Mission.