Richard Allen Leon

Richard Allen Leon, well known as "Budge" was born to the late Josephine Rubio and Efren Leon on February 5, 1956 at Visalia Hospital in Visalia, CA. He passed away peacefully at his home in Ivanhoe, CA in the early morning hours of June 2, 2023 at the age of 67.

Budge was the second youngest of his mother’s eight children whom she raised in Woodlake, CA. Richard attended school there and graduated from Woodlake High School in the early 70's. He then went on to move to Northern California, where he met and married his first wife and became a father for the first time. Richard lived many years there before moving back home to Woodlake. Through life’s trials and tribulations, he ultimately found refuge in his lord and savior Jesus Christ. Richard became very strong in his Christian faith and shared God's word with everyone he encountered. In 1999 while working at Kaweah Delta Memorial Hospital in Exeter, CA, he met Olivia who was his coworker and after assuring her that, he would "never get married again”, the two were married in July 2002. In 2008, Richard started working as a custodian for Visalia Unified School District where he retired in 2016 due to health issues. Budge enjoyed spending time with family and going on beach trips especially to Monterey. He also enjoyed watching sports and listening to oldies. Richard loved God, his family, and the Oakland Raiders. His long heartfelt conversations will be missed most by his closest loved one, but the impact left by those conversations will live on forever.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Josephine and Efren Leon, his sister Gloria Cardenas, his brothers James, Gary, and Gilbert Leon, his wife Patricia Ruiz, and his stepsons Edward Pimentel and Hugo Torres. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 21 years Maria Olivia Montejano, his children Christina Leon, James Leon, and Richard Dunn, stepson Alfred Moreno, and stepdaughters Eddica, Jessica, and Selena Torres, and 16 grandchildren. Richard is also survived by his siblings Ruben (Jennie) Leon, Elizabeth (Tony) Valero, and Edward "Beanie" Leon and numerous nieces and nephews as well as the entire Montejano family.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, June 19, 2023 from 3pm to 7pm at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 West Goshen Avenue, Visalia, CA. A Celebration of Life Funeral service will begin at 8:30 am on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Miller Memorial Chapel followed with interment at Exeter District Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Leon family.