Pete Mota

Pedro "Pete" Mota was born on August 8, 1937, in Pinos, Zacatecas, Mexico, and peacefully passed away June 27, 2026, in Orange, Texas, at the age of 88.

In 1941, Pete moved from Mexico to Texas with his family and settled in Port Isabel, a small, tight-knit coastal community. He helped support his family by picking cotton, delivering newspapers, and working at a local gas station.

A gifted student and athlete, Pete graduated from Port Isabel High School in 1958 as Salutatorian of his class and was voted "Most All-Around Boy." During those years, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the rank of Star Scout. As a Port Isabel Tarpon, he played football, basketball, fast-pitch softball, tennis, and ran track, developing a lifelong love of sports.

After graduation, Pete proudly served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1961. He was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles" and served in Korea with the 1st Cavalry Division. He hoped to make the Army his career, but he suffered a knee injury during a softball game, and it changed those plans. As a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, Pete completed seventeen jumps during his Army years. The family joked that Pete jumped out of perfectly good airplanes. Pete loved his country and was proud of his military service.

Following his time in the Army, Pete became a welder and pipefitter. Taking care of his family was always his priority, and he often held down two jobs to provide for them. His world changed forever in the summer of 1963, when he met Ludie, a beautiful country girl from Louisiana who would become the love of his life and his wife of 51 years. Together they raised their family and enjoyed the simple things in life like home-cooked meals and spending time with their loved ones.

Some of his happiest moments were spent with Ludie, sitting in the swing or in the rocking chairs on the porch, enjoying a glass of iced tea while admiring the yard and Ludie's flowers.

Pete loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed holidays and Dairy Queen lunches. When the grandkids were little, one of their favorite things was riding on the lawnmower with their “Poppy.” Years later, the great-grandchildren loved riding with Poppy too.

After Ludie passed away in 2015, Pete leaned on those around him and the community he loved. He never stopped missing her, but he found comfort in the people who remained by his side. Friends could often find Pete enjoying a late-night meal at Denny's after a game, having lunch at Danny's on Fridays, or walking the aisles of Walmart looking for someone to visit with.

Sports remained one of Pete's greatest passions throughout his life. Few things brought him more joy than being in the stands supporting a team and encouraging the players. His dedication to sports earned him the title of "LCM's Number One Fan." He rarely missed a game and could recall players, game statistics, and stories from seasons long ago. For years, you could usually find Pete sitting in Row 29, Seat 1, at Battlin' Bear Stadium.

In recognition of his dedication to Little Cypress-Mauriceville athletics, Pete was inducted into the LC-M Hall of Fame. In March of 2024, the district honored him by naming the Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School softball field the Pete Mota Field, lovingly called "The Pete."

After his stroke in November 2024, the Lord continued to work on Pete's heart. One of the most transforming moments of his life came in the spring of 2025 when he gave his life to Christ, and on May 18, 2025, he was baptized at First Baptist Church Orange.

Pete was preceded in death by his wife, Ludie Mae Temple Mota; his mother, Concepcion Buendia Mota; his sisters, Ana Maria Leos, and Elena Camacho; and his brothers, Bernardo Mota, Sr., and Candelario Mota.

Those left to honor and cherish his memory are his daughters, Brenda Allen and husband Matt Allen, and Mary White and husband Tommy White; his grandchildren, John Allen and wife Mallory, Joey Allen and Meagan Mathews, Josh Allen and wife Makenzie, and Autumn LeGault and fiancé Trey DuBose; his great-grandchildren, Ember Allen, Kai Allen, and Silas Allen; his sisters, Margarita Salinas, Guadalupe Mota, and Paz Medina along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him, the LCM community, and the many athletes he cheered on and encouraged over the years.

Services for Pete will be held at First Baptist Church Orange on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:30 a.m., then a military burial at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange, Texas.

Pete's family would like to thank caregivers Tracy Wofford, James Wiley, April Boykin Edmonson, Jamie LeDoux, and her staff at A Place Called Home, as well as Harbor Hospice for their kindness, friendship, and dedicated compassion. Your support meant more to Pete and his family than words can express.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the LCM Athletic Booster Club. Donations may be mailed to LC-M High School, 7327 Highway 87 North, Orange, Texas 77632, Attn: Athletics. You can also donate by using the Pete Mota QR code posted on multiple LC-M Athletics social media accounts.

Pallbearers: John Allen, Joey Allen, Josh Allen, Jose Leos, Greg Temple, Clint Temple, and Caiden Harrison.