Rowell Leon

Rowell soon became known by his family and friends as Rolo since Rowell was difficult to pronounce. His elementary years were spent in San Diego where he enjoyed playing Little League Baseball and Babe Ruth League Baseball while participating in boxing lessons. Around 1959 his family moved to Baldwin Park and during his Junior High School years he began to play football and basketball while continuing with the Baseball Pony League as a third baseman. The last year or two of High School were spent at Corona Senior High, where he was a running back for their football team. During these years after school he played basketball at the local gym where he was considered one of the best outside shooters in Corona. He often shot pool in the evening and became known as a hustler.

Rolo began his Retail Clerk career as a Box Boy in 1961with Michael’s Market, a local food market chain in Corona. In the following years he was promoted to a cashier and then to the Night Manager. Safeway bought out Micheal’s and Rolo continued with Safeway until the Southern California markets became Von’s. He completed his 45 year career as a Retail Clerk with Von’s in 2006.

Rolo met Joyce Bilbrey while they were both in High School at Corona. Three years later they were married (for the first time) on October 16, 1967. They convalidated their marriage in October, 1982 when Rolo assisted Joyce in converting to Catholicism, and again in October, 1997 when they were visiting Our Lady in Medjugorje. They shared forty-eight (48) years of marriage, and were beginning to think about their 50th and were they might travel.

While they were married, Joyce taught Rolo how to bowl. He supported a 187 average and loved to play his teammate, Ed Thompson, for money once the league had completed. Joyce helped Rolo support the family while he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in 1978 at California State University, Fullerton. Then he took over financially so that she could complete her degree.

During their marriage Rolo would participate in all of the Von’s company softball tournaments. Up to the point of his death, Rolo was on the St. Frances Cabrini Church softball team. Rolo excelled in every sport he participated in, even Poker, if that is considered a sport. He used to play frequently with his cousin, Louie and later in life he enjoyed playing with Godmother Maggie, Maria, her father Connie and Joyce.

Rolo enjoyed watching and supporting his children and grandchildren in all of their sports functions. He would cook special dishes to sell at functions to earn money for the teams the grandkids were on. He touched many lives.

Rolo was a movie buff, he could duplicate verbatim certain scenes from various movies. He really enjoyed music, and had a broad spectrum of favorite musical performers ranging from the 50’s through the 2000’s. He loved to travel, and would speak to anyone that would listen about the Hawaii trips, Idaho trips, Medjugorje trip, beach trips, and camping trips

Rolo has an older sister, Jessica Corkins. He preceeded his brother Gilbert Padilla (D), sister Marie Alkana, and brothers James Andrade, Rene Andrade, and Roderick Andrade. He leaves behind Joyce Leon, his wife, his two daughters, Jennifer Stevens (Randy Stevens), their two children Robby and Jenna, and his other daughter Rhonda Leon and her two children Tabitha and Trinity Theobald. He will be missed by so many.

Arrangements under the direction of Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Colton, California.