Felix V. Leal

Felix V. Leal Felix Leal peacefully passed away on May 31, 2013 at home surrounded by his wife and family. Felix was born to Antonio and Elvira Leal on November 20, 1927. He attended The Presbyterian Pan American School and at the age of 17 he joined the U.S. Marines. During his service, Felix was stationed in Peiping, China where he met Theresa J. Stone who was in the Women's Army Corp. They were married in Augusta, Ga. on June 5, 1947. Felix was honorably discharged in 1949 and moved his family to Corpus Christi, Tx. and in 1953 they settled in Austin, Texas. Felix's career in the optical business began at T.S.O. in Corpus Christi and continued in Austin at Dallas Holford Opticians. In 1967 he began his own business, Felix Leal Opticians and became a respected Optician and Contact Lens Technician. He later became interested in ocular prosthetics which required further study and training in the fabrication and fitting of ocular prosthetics. His friend, Vernon Lamb of San Angelo, an established Ocularist, shared his time and knowledge for which Felix was forever grateful. Felix had a love and dedication to ocular prosthetics which became another phase of his optical career. He became and remained the only Ocularist in the Austin area until his reluctant retirement in March 2008. Felix was President of the Contact Lens Society of Texas, a board member of the American Society of Ocularists, Prevent Blindness of Texas and many other optical organizations. He was president of the West Austin Lions Club, Rotary Club, Mexican American Chamber of Commerce and many other civic organizations in Austin. Felix also served as bailiff for the Travis County Court at Law #5 in Austin. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends in Benavides, Tx. He was also famous for his barbecues and loved to entertain his family and friends in his backyard. Felix is preceded in death by his father and mother, his sister Lucia Reyes and brother Ernesto Leal. He is survived by his brother Enrique Leal and his sister Magdelena Denham. Felix is also survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 66 years, Theresa Leal and his six children, Felix Leal Jr., Donna D'Abadie, Robert Leal, David Leal, Kathy Menges, Judi Caiati and granddaughter Jessica Sertuche. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank Healthsense Home Care and the nurses and aides at Odyssey Hospice of Austin for the excellent care given to Felix and his family. A very special thank you to Linda Lowenthal for her constant love and support over the years and especially during Felix's last days. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 28, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel at Shoreline Church, 15201 Burnet Rd, Austin, Tx 78728