Mario De Leon

Mario De Leon, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away suddenly on April 1, 2024, in Buda, Texas, at the age of sixty-seven. He was born on December 9, 1956, in Maxwell, Texas.
Mario's life was marked by his unwavering dedication to his family and his country. After enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1976 as a reservist, he served with honor and distinction until 1982. His commitment to service continued in his professional life, where he worked for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) for 22 years.
He is survived by his loving wife, Libby De Leon, his devoted daughter, Tiffany De Leon Lee, his son-in-law, Adam Lee, and his adored grandchildren, Lucas and Juliana Lee. Mario's legacy also lives on through his siblings and their spouses, Lucio De Leon (Dora), Joe De Leon (Elva), Jesse De Leon, Emma De Leon, Linda De Leon, Angie Smith, Janie Smith (Jerry), Lydia Esparza, and Mary De Leon, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Lucio and Marcelina De Leon, his brother-in-law Ronnie Esparza, his father-in-law, Ignacio Limon Moreno, and his nephew, Mark Louis Moreno.
Mario was an avid collector of antiques and collectibles, who found joy in the stories each piece held. He enjoyed scouring the local estate sales' websites in search of unique and special items. His and Libby's home is filled with many diverse pieces of artwork that he found during his searches. It was also common for him to find something that he felt a relative or friend would appreciate. He enjoyed fishing with his grandson, Lucas. He loved music, especially live music. During SXSW, he would try to attend as many live music performances as possible. Mario was a voracious reader. Nothing was off limits, but he especially enjoyed reading military novels. His love for BBQing was only matched by his love for watching his favorite football teams, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Texas A&M Aggies. However, nothing brought him more happiness than being an active part of his grandchildren's daily lives, sharing in their triumphs and adventures. There was no request too big, where Lucas and Juliana were concerned.
Those who knew Mario will remember him as a generous man who was always ready to lend a hand. If he knew someone was in need, he wanted to help. Mario's generosity extended beyond his immediate circle, touching the lives of many. As a manager at TRS, it was important to him to recognize and celebrate the achievements of his co-workers. It was common for him to show up with breakfast tacos, donuts, lunch, etc. for them.
His wife, daughter and son-in-law have expressed how much his sudden passing has already affected their lives because he was always someone on whom they could depend. Mario's life has ended but his memories will live on in those who loved him.