Leo M. Macias

Leo Macias was born August 9, 1943 to Ysidro and Santos Macias, in El Sitio, Zacatecas, Mexico. He was the third eldest of eight siblings, Angel, Jorgé, Connie, Isidro, Micaela, Maria Elena and Maria Luz. Leo spent his early years of life in Mexico. Until his family migrated into Texas in the late 1940’s.

He lived with his family in a small rancho in Miradores, Texas. He attended Las Yescas Elementary on and off until the fifth grade, which was his highest level of education. Due to the circumstances of his family needs, he would only be in school for 3 months at a time. Despite his limited education, Leo was incredibly proud of his achievements in life.

When Leo wasn’t in school, he and his brothers would work alongside his father. While working in the fields, he was run over by a tractor. Leo believed it would have taken his life, had it not been for his fathers prayers. Leo was in and out of consciousness, the one memory he remembered vividly is his father praying vigorously to the Virgin San Juan de Los Lagos. He truly believed he had a guardian angel watching over him. This accident formed a foundation for his lifelong Catholic faith.

In the mid- 1950’s, Leo and his entire family were deported back to Mexico. He was part of a historical government operation known as “Operation Wetback”. He and his family were transported by a coal-carrying train across the border. When Leo was asked about his childhood journey, he would reflect on the tremendous pain and loss his family endured. These memories were so painful and Leo remembered them vividly due to the tremendous loss of his two youngest sisters. Leo would have a difficult time with the memory of him and his brothers walking the streets of Matamoros asking for flowers to bury with their sister. The family would eventually work their way back to the U.S.

While his family was accepted for reentry, Leo was denied due to a medical condition. Unfortunately his family had to make the difficult decision to leave him behind in Mexico. He stayed behind with a vendor that would require him to work off his stay. At the young age of ten years old, he sold newspapers, candy and also shined shoes on the streets of Matamoros. It was an incredibly difficult experience for Leo to be away from his family and be alone. His father frequently visited and worked tirelessly to reunite the family. Within a year, Leo was reunited with his family in Texas. When talking about this part of his life, he couldn't put into words the joy he felt being reunited with his family. Leo’s childhood hardships strengthened his faith, determination and resilience for a better future. Which was the visible outcome of his life today.

He spent the following several years of his life in Texas. His tenacity and determination would continue through the years as he worked as a farmworker and laborer in the fields. He and his family were migrant farmworkers and traveled to the western states for work. Although the majority of his time was spent working, he and his brothers would quickly learn how to hunt wild game to provide extra food for their family. This task may have been out of necessity, but for Leo this blossomed into his life long love of hunting and the outdoors. His love and appreciation for the outdoors continued throughout his life. He would later pass that onto his family with annual camping trips and many hunting memories with his sons and daughter.

The family eventually moved to California in the late 1950’s. One of Leo's significant memories was driving over the hillside and seeing the night lights that spanned across what he would call home for his remaining years, the Central Valley. Their new home would be the land of opportunity, he knew they would never go hungry again. The family worked all around Central California as farmworkers. The move to California was pivotal to the success of his life, family and future.

In the early 1960’s, Leo met Catalina Figueroa, the love of his life, through her brother Ernesto. They dated under protest from their parents, but nothing could stop their love. They would go on to spend the next 60 years together. They married on August 22, 1964 in Fresno, California at St. Anthony’s Mary Claret Catholic Church. Soon after they purchased their first home and welcomed their first son, Edward in 1965. In Leo’s early years as a provider he worked as a forklift driver. During that time, they welcomed their second son, Daniel in 1969. That job led into his lifelong career as a truck driver in the Teamster Union in 1973. They welcomed two more children, Javier in 1974 and Sonia in 1977. They purchased their forever home in August of 1977, which would lay the foundation for their family for years to come.

Leo worked as a truck driver for 36 years, but his life’s work extended beyond this. Leo and Catalina worked tirelessly to provide for their four children. Even though their hard work was prosperous, there were lean times. Through all the hardships their faith, determination and love for their family never wavered. During slower times with the trucking industry, Leo would supplement his income with gardening work. He enlisted the help of his sons, Edward, Daniel and Javier. Even his only daughter, Sonia would accompany them at times to supervise. She attempted to help but Leo insisted his baby girl sit in the truck. His work ethic and perseverance never faded from the streets of Matamoros to fatherhood. He instilled within his children a sound work ethic, resilience and grit.

The family of six truly enjoyed the company of one another. Leo and Catalina spent a great deal of time setting the example of bonding with family and putting family first. The siblings reflect on fond memories of vacations, family gatherings, wrestling matches on the front lawn, fishing and camping trips. Leo was a firm believer in teaching his children to stand up for what they believed in. He and Catalina set a strong example for a successful marriage. He taught his children to be respectful and provide a strong foundation for their family. God and faith are at the center of his family, which was his biggest treasure. The values they instilled in their children are now being passed on to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, creating a legacy that will endure for generations.

From 1992 until present time, Leo and Catalina have been blessed with 17 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and one on the way. This beautiful extension of his family was the light of his life. He cherished a living room filled with family on holidays and a full table on Sunday mornings. Menudo on Sundays, was a tradition passed on from his mother, Santos Macias. He and his wife, Catalina prepped, cooked and served their entire family menudo or pozole. This tradition has been carried on for 20 years. These memories are filled with laughter, racing to see who arrived first, making camping plans, watching the grandchildren play and bellies filled with food from, who Leo would say is “The Best Cook in the whole world.” Leo and Catalina have created a family bond that is unbreakable.

Leo succumbed to his 16-year battle with cancer in August, a month filled with significant memories for his family. Despite the sadness, August also represents the many accomplishments of Leo and Catalina's life together, including 81 wonderful years of Leo's life on this beautiful Earth, the purchase of their home and 60 years of marriage. In his final months, Leo's strength and faith never wavered. He fought endlessly, with his wife and family by his side as long as he could. His heart of a Lion was evident even in his toughest battles. In his final weeks his grandchildren and great grandchildren could always put a smile on his face, which was a consistent reminder of his love for his family.

Leo will forever be missed by his wife, family and friends. He left an unforgettable impact on our lives that can never be forgotten. We will miss his sense of humor, unscripted speeches, love for camping and life, but most importantly his love for his family. He was Our Patriarch, Our Honey, Our Dad, Our Papa, Our Lion. We look forward to the day that God reunites us all, until we meet again.