Louis "Louie" Leal

Louis (Louie) Leal

Louis (Louie) Leal went to be with the Lord on December 21, 2004, at the age of 81.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and friend. He loved life and looked forward with anticipation to each new day. He once stated that he arose early each day so as not to miss any of it.

Louis learned at an early age how to apply himself and work hard. As a youth he would often chop wood all day to earn a quarter. There was much joy in his life, and also times of adversity and tragedy. All of these challenges he met with courage, strength, loyalty, compassion and humor.

Louis loved the outdoors. During the “ family” years, he enjoyed hunting, camping at Wechipek, Pec Juan and Ruth, and fishing in his favorite place at Hatcreek near Mt. Shasta and Diamond Lake. Louis was an avid golfer and was a member of Baywood Country Club for many years.

Louis’ entire life was spent in doing thoughtful things for his family, friends, and community. In his later years he delivered the Senior News, mowed the lawn for widows, and you could often see him removing nails and signs from telephone poles to help beautiful Eureka, to name a few. Louis had an engaging personality and a keen wit and sense of humor, and up to the end he kept people in stitches with his witty comments.

Louis, a lifelong resident of Eureka, was born on June 30, 1923. Immediately upon graduation from Eureka High School in 1942, Louis joined the Navy, serving on numerous campaigns in the South Pacific as a torpedoman 2nd Class on the Destroyer, the U.S.S. Gridley. He contracted T.B. and received a medical discharge in 1944. Louis felt very fortunate as many of his servicemen did not survive this dreadful disease. Louis was very mechanically minded and in 1947 became apprenticed to Dudek Office Equipment, learning how to service mechanical calculators and developing knowledge, abilities and skills he would use later in opening his own business.

On October 30, 1948, Louis married Phyllis Maye Nilson, his childhood sweetheart and “girl next door”, and over the next five years had three children. In 1960 Louis went into partnership with Phyllis and opened Eureka Office Supply with only $3,000. All the family pitched in to help (and EOS served the community until its closure in early 2003). In the 70’s he became a grandfather twice over.

In 1983 Louis became a widower. He continued to work until his elopement on March 28, 1988 to Mary Jean Clark, the “girl across the street”. They ran off to Reno, and that began his full retirement. Louis continued to enjoy life and make new friends. He joined a group called the “Early Birds” which meets at the Cutten Inn for lunch and poker. During his golden years he loved to metal detect, watch birds in the backyard, and tend to his beloved fruit trees in Willow Creek. Throughout his life Louis could be found working on a crossword puzzle, which he would explain, kept his mind sharp. He also looked forward with pleasure and anticipation to the annual shipboard reunions he attended hosted by his shipmates in different locations in the United States.

Louis is survived by wife, Mary Leal of Eureka, CA; daughter, Robyn Bryant of Eureka, CA; grandchildren, Mathew Leal and Jerret Bryant of Eureka, CA, Kelli Shaw and Husband David of Roseville, CA, Jeremy Leal of Novato, CA; great grandchildren, Brittney, Vanessa, Tyger, Hannah and James, (and 1 on the way) Shaw of Roseville, CA; sisters, Lisa Armstrong, Blanche Mezzano and husband Tony of Pico Rivera, CA; and other relatives too numerous to mention.

Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Elisa Leal; wife, Phyllis Maye Leal; sons, Robert Louis and John Thomas Leal; sisters, Carmen Leal and Teresa Combs; and brother Frank Leal.

A visitation will be held at Sanders Funeral Home, 1835 E Street, on Saturday, January 8, 2005, from 10 a.m to 1 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Wharfinger building on Saturday, January 8, 2005, at 3:30 p.m. A reception will immediately follow the service.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel of the Ferns, Sanders Mortuary.

Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.