Frank Leo Jr.

1928 - 2025

Frank Leo, Jr.

October 4, 1928 - March 6, 2025

Modesto, California - On March 6, 2025, Frank Leo, Jr. passed away peacefully. He was 96 years old.

Born on October 4, 1928 in Turlock, California to Frank Leo and Bell Perry Leo, Frank was raised in the Modesto area. He married Lyola Machado on January 6, 1948 and they eventually settled in Turlock, California where they raised their four children Anthony, Diane, Elizabeth and Douglas.

As a teenager, Frank began working as a truck driver in his father's milk hauling business, picking up 10-gallon milk cans from dairies in the area and delivering them to the local creamery. Eventually Frank started his own milk hauling company which he ran until 1958 when he sold his truck and went to work for Golden State Creamery as their Field Representative.

Frank continued to work for the milk industry as a Field Representative for Foremost Foods in the dairy division, Knudson Company and Berkeley Farms. His job took him up and down the California Central Valley and Northern Coast. During Frank's career, he became involved in many aspects of the growth of California's dairy industry. While employed by Foremost Foods, he accompanied a load of dairy livestock flown to Hawaii by Tiger Airlines to be delivered to Foremost dairies. In 1973 he became President of the California Dairy Institute. He also organized an annual Dairy Milk Judging event of Merced County dairies which culminated in a dinner and awards event at the Merced County Fair.

Frank and his wife Lyola were members of the Modesto Portuguese Pentecost Association and the Cabrillo Club and were involved in several community projects over the years. In the 1960s, Frank helped to build the Mountain View Ballpark for the community. Frank was an avid bowler and was a Doubles Champion with his partner Joe Machado in the Turlock league.

Frank and Lyola loved to travel, making trips to Portugal, the Azores, Europe and many trips in the United States to tourist sites and Washington D.C. They spent their 40th and 50th wedding anniversaries on two of the many cruises they enjoyed.

Frank is survived by his son Anthony Leo (Rosemary), daughter Diane Klein, daughter Elizabeth Hoffman (Robert), son Douglas Leo, grandsons Matthew Leo (Amanda), Spencer Leo, granddaughters Jennifer Leo (John Ludlow), Julie Smith (Tyler), Rebecca Klein-Johnson (Brandon), six great-grandsons, and three great-granddaughters.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife Lyola (passing on January 15, 2025), his parents, his sister Patricia Briggs, his brother Clyde Leo, his step-mother Angelina Vasconcellos Leo, his son-in-law Phillip Klein, and his daughter-in-law Nancy Ashley Leo.

A funeral service will be held on March 21, 2025 at the Salas Bros. Chapel at 12:30 p.m. with burial to follow at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery.