Jose A de Leon

“A REALLY GREAT GUY”

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:16-18)

Jose DeLeon was born in Chicago in 1956 to Jose Angel and Eustolia DeLeon, both of whom welcomed him to his new heavenly home on July 22, 2023. Jose is survived by, Geri, his devoted wife of 41 years. He was a loving father to his sons and their wives, Bryan (Ashley) and Kevin (Brenda). Jose is also survived by his brother Lorenzo (Hope) and sister Andrea, both of the Chicago area, his brother-in-law Ronald (Roseanne) Kraft and sister-in-law Shirley Kraft. Jose was a proud grandpa to Logan and Liana, and an adoring uncle to his many nieces and nephews. Jose is preceded in death by his brother-in-law Robert Kraft.

Jose graduated from Lane Technical High School in Chicago and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) with a degree in Computer Engineering. Jose was an avid chess player. He captained the City Championship Chess Team while at Lane Tech and was known to play multiple matches simultaneously against different opponents.

After graduation from UIC, Jose began working on the implementation of Motorola’s 911 service as one of his first projects. He was a founding partner and Chief Technical Officer of Capital Markets Trading, an international trading and financial services firm. Jose’s career required him to travel extensively to Asia and Europe where he developed a genuine appreciation for fine wines. This complemented his already finely developed palate for Tequilas!

As part of Jose’s ongoing commitment to helping others, he supported the MidTown Scholarship Foundation assisting youth in Chicago’s inner city where Jose grew up. He funded engineering scholarships for women at his alma mater, the University of Illinois Chicago, to encourage young women to enter the engineering field. He served on the DuPage County School District Board. Jose was a board member of the Spicewood Public Library and strong supporter the Spicewood Arts Society and Faith in Practice which provides medical missions in Guatemala.

Jose loved participating in a variety of athletic activities such as racquetball, tennis, skiing and Walley-Ball, however later in life he developed a real passion for golf. Jose and Geri became members of Medinah Country Club outside of Chicago and enjoyed playing golf and attending the many galas at the club. Jose loved hosting friends and work colleagues at the club. He was also a willing and anxious volunteer at the many professional golf tournaments held at Medinah, including the Ryder and Presidents Cups, and the BMW Championships.

Upon retirement, Jose and Geri moved from the Chicago area to Barton Creek Lakeside in Spicewood, Texas. They developed a wonderful group of friends with whom they shared travel, golf and social adventures. Jose loved playing golf and was always available to play 9 or 18 holes. He also became an avid pickle ball player, enjoying the banter of playing with friends at Lakeside or nearby courts. He loved his travels to Hawaii, Australia, the Rhine River, and up and down the coast of California to play golf with friends, and more importantly toasts to good friendships. After playing a round of golf with Jose or sharing a glass of wine (or tequila) everyone would say “WHAT A GREAT GUY”!

Above all, Jose enjoyed dinners and self-supplied wine and tequila tastings with friends. He was always up for enjoying a glass of wine and some witty conversation. Even as he struggled through his many cancer treatments, he never lost his zest for life, his love for his family and friends, his appreciation for good wine and tequila, or his sense of humor.

The DeLeon family would like to express their gratitude to Drs. Gosselink and Jan and the nurses and staff at the Mayo Clinic Brain Tumor Program in Rochester Minnesota and Scottsdale Arizona, and to the staff at New Century Hospice of Marble Falls.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jose’s memory may be made to: Brains Together for a Cure https://www.brainstogetherforacure.org/donate/