Johnny G. Juan Cana De Leon

A native of San Antonio, he grew up on the West Side and attended Lanier High School, where he excelled in athletics, particularly basketball. His tremendous athleticism even earned him a full scholarship to St. Mary's University. He continued to play basketball after college in the city-wide league and Spanish American conference. He was an amazing player, and later shared his love of the game by coaching CYO and YMCA. He led St. Ann's to three city championships between 1970-1972.

John met Estella, the love of his life, life-long companion and "Darling Dear," while attending Lanier High School. They married January 1958. The family grew quickly, with John, Jacob, Janette, and Joanne all born by 1963; Juliet and Julian followed ten years later.

He worked for the San Antonio Express Newspaper, where he commanded a band of "helpers," and with whom he shared a trove of hilarious adventures. He finally retired in 2013, after sixty years of loyal service. Dad's diligence drove him through the tough newspaper business working 365 days a year, rain or shine, passing his solid work ethic down to his children and grandchildren.

His immense faith and love for God were the cornerstones of his life, and helped foster strong family values. He was a man of tremendous integrity and quiet strength. Quick to laugh and slow to anger, he constantly made us smile with his many stories and jokes. He had an enormous heart, reaching out and helping anyone who needed it, without question, and was loved by all who knew him. He was passionate about music and loved to sing and dance. In between his jokes, boisterous laughter, and beautiful singing, the Beacon Hill house he shared with his family was rarely quiet. As the patriarch of the DeLeon family, he kept everyone close, sharing his wisdom and generous heart to build a legacy that is forever lasting.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Estella DeLeon, his six children and their spouses, John A. DeLeon, Jacob &Traci DeLeon, Janette & Frank Martinez, JoAnne and Richard Barrera, Juliet DeLeon & Eric Smith, and Julian & Blanca DeLeon Thirteen grandchildren, Xochitl, Theresa, Theodora, and Thomas Martinez; Juliette, Jessika Barrera; Deseree, Deven DeLeon, Saren Guerra, Katalina, Kristiana DeLeon, and Chloe DeLeon-Smith. His siblings, Mary Blankenship, Olga Schulman, Irene Williams, Yolanda Nock, Diana King and Carlos DeLeon. He is preceded in death by his parents, Juan and Maria DeLeon.

Visitation will be on Monday, March 20, 2017 starting at 3:00 pm, with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 pm at Porter Loring on McCullough.

A Procession will be on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 9:30 am from Porter Loring, with a Mass to follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1321 El Paso at 10:00 am.

Interment to follow at San Fernando Cemetery No. 2.