Terrence Terry Jay Lealos

Terrence Jay Lealos was born April 5, 1954 at Valley Hospital in Van Nuys, Ca. Born to Raymond John Lealos and Florence Mae Balance. He was the fourth and youngest boy of the seven children the couple had. Terry grew up on Knox St. in San Fernando, CA, in a very middle class neighborhood filled with families. He loved spending time with his Mom and definitely enjoyed her cooking. Terry would develop close relationships with his next door neighbors. He spent most of his early days playing outdoors with the neighborhood boys. When he was 3 ½ he became a big brother to sister Debi. This would be followed by his sisters Shelly when he was 12 and sister Diana when he was 13. Terry was often responsible for caring for his little sisters. Often letting them brush his hair and put makeup on him.

Terry’s grandparents on his mother’s side were Bill Balance and Dora McCleod. Terry did not speak of his grandpa much but enjoyed his grandmother immensely. He loved cooking with her at Christmas time, especially when making cookies. Grandpa John Lealos lived with Terry when he was very young. Terry would tell stories of how grandpa would sit in his favorite chair and control traffic with his cane.

Terry was very personable, all of his friends became family. Terry met his life-long friend Ronnie Boswell in third grade and maintained that relationship for all of his life.

Terry was never big on sports he was a very talented artist. He loved to draw cars and pictures of what he wanted to call “TJ’s Auto Service”. He spent many hours building car models.

Terry attended St. Ferdinand’s Elementary School in San Fernando, CA. He went to Bishop Alameny High School graduating in 1972.

Terry had many pets over the course of his life as a child he has a Persian long haired cat named Princess and had a variety of dogs. Misty was his dearest most loved dog, which he had in his early adult life. Summer, a stray golden retriever mix he loved like it was his child.

After graduating from high school Terry joined the Army he was a mechanic and was honorably discharged in 1976. After leaving the Army he began driving big rigs with his father. He took great pride in driving a truck he would say “anything anyone ever needed or wanted had to be driven by a truck.

In 1978 Terry came into Winchell’s donut shop in Banning, CA, where he met his wife MaryEllen Figueroa. One evening in 1979 Terry handed Mary a box, with what she thought was a friendship ring. She happily opened the box, took the ring out and realized it was in two pieces. That is when she realized what the ring really was. She said yes and so a new chapter began in his life.

Friday October 13, 1979 the two were married in a simple yet joyous ceremony in Banning, CA.

Terry and Mary were blessed with two girls Lucina Lealos, born February 4, 1981. He loved and adored his first born child. August 24, 1984 Crystal Lealos was born. The family spent most of their years residing in San Bernardino, CA. Terry worked as a truck driver for Albertson’s, his schedule was very demanding. But he did take the time off he did have to spend time with his girls. He enjoyed taking them fishing, on road trips to Ashland, Oregon to see his mother. He loved to take them bowling and play video games. As his children grew and they had children of their own he would often say “Grandchildren were the reward for putting up with your own kids”.

October 20, 2005 Tate Simmons was born, his first grandchild born to his baby Crystal. Emma Lealos was born April 26, 2008 to his eldest Lucina. Terry took great pride in his grandchildren. He seemed like a big, intimidating man but the moment he saw his grandchildren’s faces he turned to mush, speaking to them with such a silly voice. June 18, 2010 Dylan Simmons was born second child to Crystal and another boy for him to love. Shortly after his fourth grandchild Elizabella Lastra was born October 31, 2010 to Lucina.

Terry was raised Catholic and remained Catholic all the days of his life. He was a bit non-traditional though. He never felt he absolutely needed to go into a church to be with God. He would say “God is in my heart and all around me”. He spoke of his faith often with those he was close to.

Terry was forced to leave the job he loved so much when he was involved in an accident at work in 2003. Which frustrated him so much, he took great pride in being a safe driver for 18 years. He took it all in stride, it gave him the opportunity to be with his family more and pursue activities he enjoyed. He was a self-taught, self proclaimed computer nut, spending most of his time working on his and others computers. Late 2010 Terry and Mary moved from their home in San Bernardino, CA to Mary’s childhood home in Beaumont, CA. Fitting, for where the journey together began, so did it end.

June 10, 2010 Terrence Jay Lealos passed in his sleep on his patio where he spent much of his time. A blessed man, a blessed life so peacefully ended that day.

He is survived by his wife Mary, two daughters Lucina, 30 and Crystal, 26. His two brothers John Lealos, Gary Lealos and three sisters Debi Hrisoulas, Shelly Yates and Diana Hodge. Also survived by his four grandchildren, Tate 5, Emma 3, Dylan 11 ½ months and Elizabella 7 months.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 from 4 -8 pm with a vigil at 4:00 pm at Weaver Mortuary Chapel 1177 Beaumont Avenue, Beaumont. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church 1234 Palm Avenue, Beaumont.

Arrangements entrusted to Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, CA.