LEON A. Van Holsbeke

Mr. Leon A. Van Holsbeke, 91, of Brownsville, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend entered into the glory of his eternal life on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Solara Hospital in Brownsville, Texas, surrounded by his loving family.

Leon began working with horses at the age of 9, with a lifelong friend at the Oliver Estate located near South Bend, Ind. At the age of 19, he heard of the attack on Pearl Harbor and joined the U. S. Army. After basic training, Leon was assigned to the Quarter Master Corps and began to train horses for re-mount. Leon quickly proved himself with his knowledge and passion for horses and was recommended for OCS and sent to Ft. Riley, Kan., where he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He was transferred to the 124th Cavalry, Ft. Brown, Brownsville, Texas.

He met his wife Sunshine of the "Pioneer" Reed family during this time. They were married 69 years. During his military career, Leon was recruited to work within the Intelligence Community. He was also a member of the U. S. International Equestrian Jumping Team. He traveled with his family throughout the world.

In 1962, after having served over 20 years, Leon retired from the U. S. Army and moved back to Brownsville, where he worked for the Agricultural Research Service until he retired in 1982.

Leon was an avid conservationist, who loved his dog, Radar, and played surrogate parent to duck families in his neighborhood for over forty years. Leon was also an avid Notre Dame fan always ready to cheer on the "Fighting Irish." He also frequently served as a chauffeur to his grandchildren.

Leon was a spirited family man and will be missed not only by his family, his wife especially, but also by all of his friends in Brownsville.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Marie and August Van Holsbeke; a son, Mark Van Holsbeke; one sister and two brothers.

Left behind to eternally treasure their memories of him is his loving wife, Sunshine R. Van Holsbeke; his children: Ann (Jim) Raulston, Leon A. "Reggie" (Kitty) Van Holsbeke Jr., and Melissa Van Holsbeke; the grandchildren that were the apple of his eye: Jennifer (Mitchell) Sommer, Leon A. (Lisa) Van Holsbeke III, Reggie E. Van Holsbeke, Devin A. Van Holsbeke, Sunshine Tutt, Raven Johnson, Marcus and Katherine Van Holsbeke, and their mother, Lupita; three great-grandchildren: Amanda and Sydney Sommer, and Madison Van Holsbeke; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. and continue through 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, with the recitation of the holy rosary scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday evening in the East Chapel at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. The place and time for the Mass is still pending. Please call the funeral home to obtain that information. Committal services will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park.

Reggie Earl Van Holsbeke, Devin August Van Holsbeke, Mitchell L. Sommer, Merlin Rasco, Richard Longoria, and Guy Huddleston are honored to be serving as Leon's pallbearers.

You may view the obituary, sign the guestbook, and send your condolences online to the Van Holsbeke family at www.darlingmouser.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Darling-Mouser Funeral Home, 945 Palm Blvd, Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.