Felipe Reyna

Felipe Saenz Reyna, a former Justice on the 10th Court of Appeals, passed away December 21, 2025, at the age of 80. The eldest son of the late German and Maria Reyna, Justice Reyna was born July 23, 1945, in Alamo, Texas.

Justice Reyna served honorably in the United States Naval Reserve from April 1963 to April 1969, honing the discipline and leadership that would define his future.

After graduating as Valedictorian from Moody High School in 1963, Justice Reyna pursued higher education at Baylor University, earning his bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1968. After a brief stint as a McLennan County Probation Officer, Justice Reyna entered Baylor University School of Law. To fund his legal studies at Baylor Law School, Justice Reyna worked full-time as a janitor for the 10th Court of Appeals – a role that foreshadowed his eventual ascent to that very bench. In 1972, he proudly received his Juris Doctor, transforming his janitorial mop into a gavel of justice.

After law school, Justice Reyna served as an assistant district attorney under the late Martin Eichelberger. In 1977, after the passing of Mr. Eichelberger, then-Texas governor Dolph Briscoe appointed Justice Reyna to serve as the McLennan County Criminal District Attorney. Despite his appointment, Justice Reyna never forgot his humble beginnings since his father, German, served as the janitor in the same courthouse where Justice Reyna served as the District Attorney. Justice Reyna went on to serve McLennan County as District Attorney from 1977 to 1982.

After serving as District Attorney, Justice Reyna and his wife, Cheryl, started their own law firm, Reyna & Reyna, P.C. During this time, Justice Reyna was appointed by then-Texas governor Rick Perry to serve on the State Dental Board of Examiners to help govern the practice of dentistry. Justice Reyna and Cheryl remained in private practice for more than 20 years.

Then, in 2003, in a poetic full-circle moment, Justice Reyna was appointed by then-Texas governor George W. Bush, to serve as an Associate Justice on the 10th Court of Appeals, filling the unexpired term of the Honorable Rex Davis. In 2004, Justice Reyna was reelected to a full term on the 10th Court of Appeals where he once scrubbed the floors and cleaned bathrooms to pay for the steps necessary to fulfill his dreams of serving as a Justice. Justice Reyna finally retired in 2010.

Reyna’s remarkable life was immortalized in the 2010 biography From Janitor to Justice: The Life of Felipe Reyna by Bart Cannon, which chronicles his triumphs over adversity, his groundbreaking achievements, and his enduring impact as a role model for aspiring leaders from all walks of life. The book captures the essence of a man who embodied the Texas spirit: bold, resilient, and boundless in ambition. Justice Felipe Reyna was a towering figure in Texas jurisprudence and the Hispanic community whose extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of legal achievement inspired generations. His life was a testament to the American Dream realized through unwavering determination, grit, and an unyielding commitment to justice and leaves an indelible mark on the Lone Star State’s legal landscape and beyond.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Cheryl Reyna; a daughter, Mary Reyna. Justice Reyna leaves behind four sons, Darin Brock and wife, Tracy; Steven Brock and wife Sharon; Daniel Reyna and wife, Josefina; and Abelino “Abel” Reyna; two brothers, Filiberto Reyna and wife, Martha; Filigonio and wife, LaDonna; two sisters, Henrietta Reyna Sauseda, and Esperanza Reyna Schnaufer and husband, Rusty; and five grandchildren, Samuel Brock, Owen Brock, Ty Brock, Luke Brock, Grayson Brock and Nathan Reyna. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews as well as his cat, LuLu May.

Visitation will be on Sunday, December 28, at Oakcrest Funeral Home Chapel in Waco, Texas from 3 PM - 7 PM. Funeral services will also be at Oakcrest Funeral Home Chapel Monday, December 29, in Waco, Texas at 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Meals on Wheels or Fuzzy Friends Rescue, both here in Waco, Texas.