Obituary for Jose R. Leal
Jose “Joe” Ricardo Leal, at age 84, received his crown in heaven on the beautiful spring afternoon of March 30th, 2021, surrounded by his loving family and kissed by his most precious bride of 57 years, Lucy. She had his dance card the moment they met, and he will forever be her soul mate.
A quiet man with a quick wit, a good friend who was always there for others, he is beloved and will be greatly missed. Joe loved his faith, his family, fishing, and the Dallas Cowboys – pretty much in that order, unless the Cowboys were on a winning streak.
He was the fourth child of eleven, born in Sinton, TX and graduated from Orange Grove High School in 1956. Ever the prankster, he was known to flatten a teacher’s tires if they crossed his friends. He enlisted in the Air Force after high school and was gifted with a love of science, becoming a weather technician working on the historical “Operation Checkpoint”.
He had many stations across the globe including Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, and Morocco, where he would often share, he enjoyed his FIRST and BEST pizza ever. His military service birthed his love of travel, which ultimately took he and Lucy to many stops around the globe. Through every city they traveled, Joe could always be found walking hand in hand with Lucy and stealing a kiss. He instilled in his children and grandchildren his love of travel, reading and history. They often had spirited discussions based on the books they shared.
Joe was loyal, compassionate, and built lifelong friendships from childhood and through his career with the U.S. Postal Service.
Yet, when he had time off, it was family time. Cross country road trips at night with the smell of coffee and sleeping kids started every family adventure. No matter the destination, Joe always made time to see any family who lived nearby. He made sure all his kids knew how important family was and is ---next to rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Guns up)!
Most of all, his greatest pride and joy are his girls… his granddaughters, Erin and Cecily.
Joe’s legacy to his children and grandchildren was to encourage them to follow their dreams, love well and live without regrets.
He is now with his Lord and Savior, surrounded by his father and mother, Ricardo and Justa Leal, his brothers Candelario and David, and his sisters Elvira, Juanita, and Justa.
Joe is survived by his wife, Lucila Leal, his daughter Dr. Liza Leal Foulds and her husband Dr. Duncan Foulds, his son Jose Ricardo Leal, Jr. (Ricky), his wife Melanie and their daughters Erin and Cecily Leal.
The rosary will be at Ben F. Brown’s Funeral Home, located 707 N. Macarthur Blvd., Irving, TX on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family of Nazareth Church, 2330 Cheyenne Street, Irving, TX. Burial will immediately follow at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens, 1413 E. Irving Blvd., Irving, TX.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
A quiet man with a quick wit, a good friend who was always there for others, he is beloved and will be greatly missed. Joe loved his faith, his family, fishing, and the Dallas Cowboys – pretty much in that order, unless the Cowboys were on a winning streak.
He was the fourth child of eleven, born in Sinton, TX and graduated from Orange Grove High School in 1956. Ever the prankster, he was known to flatten a teacher’s tires if they crossed his friends. He enlisted in the Air Force after high school and was gifted with a love of science, becoming a weather technician working on the historical “Operation Checkpoint”.
He had many stations across the globe including Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, and Morocco, where he would often share, he enjoyed his FIRST and BEST pizza ever. His military service birthed his love of travel, which ultimately took he and Lucy to many stops around the globe. Through every city they traveled, Joe could always be found walking hand in hand with Lucy and stealing a kiss. He instilled in his children and grandchildren his love of travel, reading and history. They often had spirited discussions based on the books they shared.
Joe was loyal, compassionate, and built lifelong friendships from childhood and through his career with the U.S. Postal Service.
Yet, when he had time off, it was family time. Cross country road trips at night with the smell of coffee and sleeping kids started every family adventure. No matter the destination, Joe always made time to see any family who lived nearby. He made sure all his kids knew how important family was and is ---next to rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Guns up)!
Most of all, his greatest pride and joy are his girls… his granddaughters, Erin and Cecily.
Joe’s legacy to his children and grandchildren was to encourage them to follow their dreams, love well and live without regrets.
He is now with his Lord and Savior, surrounded by his father and mother, Ricardo and Justa Leal, his brothers Candelario and David, and his sisters Elvira, Juanita, and Justa.
Joe is survived by his wife, Lucila Leal, his daughter Dr. Liza Leal Foulds and her husband Dr. Duncan Foulds, his son Jose Ricardo Leal, Jr. (Ricky), his wife Melanie and their daughters Erin and Cecily Leal.
The rosary will be at Ben F. Brown’s Funeral Home, located 707 N. Macarthur Blvd., Irving, TX on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family of Nazareth Church, 2330 Cheyenne Street, Irving, TX. Burial will immediately follow at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens, 1413 E. Irving Blvd., Irving, TX.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16