Frankie Diaz de Leon

Francisco (Frankie) Diaz de Leon, the second born of two children, was born on July 22, 1978 at the
Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, TX to parents David Diaz de Leon, Sr. and Marie Diaz de Leon.
Frankie was called to be with the Lord on the morning of June 4, 2023 at the age of 44, with his family
lovingly by his side.
Frankie graduated from John Jay High School in San Antonio, TX in 1997. This accomplishment was
accompanied by a massive lightning storm that blew the doors open at the venue. After graduation,
Frankie pursued a variety of musical endeavors leveraging his phenomenal talent on the drums. Born
into a family of music, his love of creating and performing music was established at a very young age.
His natural talent allowed him to play effortlessly for multiple genres including rock, metal, country, and
tejano.
Frankie was a highly respected and sought after recording and performing artist. He has recorded and
performed drums with well known award winning tejano artists such as Eddie Gonzalez, Gary Hobbs,
and Chris Perez. Over the years, Frankie would record and perform with what seemed like an endless
list of cover bands, country, and tejano artists. The demand for his talent often meant he was learning
material while on the road to the gig, or in many cases, when actually taking the stage to perform.
Given his proficiency with drums and music, he never backed down from a challenge and always nailed
it. Any band Frankie played with became 100% better because of his presence.
Frankie was also a songwriter and visionary. He co-founded the metal band Angerkill in 1998 and cowrote some of the most brutal and original metal music in the South Texas metal scene. The band
played stages all over Texas between 2001 - 2007 and was featured in numerous interviews,
compilations, radio programs, and playlists. His articulate and powerful drumming style was a signature
hallmark of the band. One of his favorite shows was opening for Anthrax and meeting a childhood hero,
Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante.
Frankie was also in high demand in the rock and metal community. Frankie performed at the Rivercity
Rockfest as the drummer for Lynnwood King and the Revival. More recently, Frankie has performed
and toured with Pigweed, helping the band as tour support for Hed PE. For the last two years, Frankie
has also recorded and performed with Even in Death, helping the band secure a management and label
contract. Frankie performed with Even in Death in front of thousands of fans at the Rocklahoma Music
Festival in Pryor, OK in September 2022.
In addition to music, Frankie was an entrepreneur and launched a successful landscaping company,
"Frankie's KickgrASS Lawn Service." Frankie worked hard to take care of his clients, and established a
reputation of excellence that brought about an abundance of business through word of mouth.
Frankie had the natural gift of charisma, charm, and personality. He loved to produce social media
videos showcasing his drumming, whether it was something he was writing, rehearsing with a band, or a
live show. Frankie was also very open about his struggle with opiate addiction, and used the social
media platform to bring awareness and hope to others. Of all his accomplishments, Frankie was most
proud of completing a rehabilitation program at Recovery Unplugged in September 2020 and lived
opiate free from then on.
The surviving members of Frankie's family are his parents David Diaz de Leon, Sr. and Marie Diaz de
Leon, daughter Inessa Briann Diaz de Leon, son Brandon Barbosa, their mother Samantha Barbosa,
brother David Diaz de Leon, Jr., grandparents Ramon Diaz de Leon, II and Teresa Diaz de Leon, nieces
and nephew Nadia K. Diaz de Leon, David Diaz de Leon, III, Sienna E. Diaz de Leon, their mother
Jennifer Ramirez, as well as several uncles, aunts, cousins, and other nieces and nephews.
Frankie was cremated and celebrated at a memorial and prayer service held at Baptist Temple in San
Antonio, TX on June 16, 2023.