Juan Leal

Juan Leal Juan (Johnny) Leal passed away on April 22, 2012 at the age of 98. Born and raised in Laredo, Texas, he was the youngest of Estella and Plurtarco Leal's children. The Leal family lived on Davis Street in downtown Laredo and had a busy household where family and friends gathered to have fun around the piano, sing, and dance. At 14, Johnny's mother died suddenly from typhoid fever. Being a close and supportive family, the older sisters stepped in to sustain the family's social life and run the house. Johnny graduated from St. Peter's Parochial School and Laredo High School. He and his friends spent summer holidays fishing at the river, playing tennis, or entering singing contests down at the local movie theater. In 1941, at the age of 26, he met Nellie Bond, a slender, pretty girl with bright brown eyes and a wonderful smile. They had a strong and loving marriage, and from the beginning, their marriage was truly a partnership. Johnny was the people person, always making friends easily with his amiable personality. Nellie was the 'numbers person,' whose strong intellect turned out to be a valuable asset when John set up a business in Laredo. They had four children: Belia, Teddy, and John were born early in their marriage. The family kept up the fishing trips and tennis games and the children came along, playing at the banks of the lake or on the grass outside the tennis courts. Lisa was born later, much to the surprise and joy of her parents. Johnny followed in his father's footsteps as a successful Licensed Customs House Broker in Laredo, clearing goods through government customs. His first job was as an agent for Mr. Henry Spindle's company. Soon afterward he was hired as agent in charge for Compania Minera de Penoles, S. A., a mining company in Mexico. He ensured that all shipments of metals (including silver, lead, copper, zinc, and, at one time, gold) entering the United States passed through U.S. Customs successfully and efficiently. He continued as an employee of Penoles until its holding company sold its remaining interest in the company to businessmen in Mexico. At that time, Johnny formed his own Customs House Agency, continuing his relationship with Penoles and expanding to other metal companies and businesses in the US and Canada. After a long and successful life in Laredo, John and Nellie retired and moved to Austin, Texas, which they had come to love when visiting their son. Over the years, their daughters and their families also moved to Austin. When Nellie was 72 and Johnny was 78, Nellie died. John continued to live independently until his 95th birthday, enjoying the friendship of his beloved dogs. To the end of his life, he remained an amiable and caring person, winning the hearts of all who knew him. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, seven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. The family thanks West Oaks Rehabilitation Center and Hospice for the gentle and loving care of our father. The family will gather for a memorial service in the coming weeks; friends and family will be notified as to the exact date. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Austin Humane Society.