Mauricio Rene Leal

Mauricio R. Leal, 73, was called to the presence of our Lord, Jesus C hrist, on September 4th, 2011. He displayed remarkable resiliency and strength in his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Thank you for all your prayers that guided him on his journey Home.

Mauricio was born August 21st, 1938 in Concepcion, Texas to Amando and Jovita Leal. The family moved to Corpus Christi where he attended Cheston Heath Elementary School, Northside Junior High, and Roy Miller High School. He attended Del Mar Junior College and graduated from Texas A & I University in 1962 with his degree in Secondary Education. He received his Master’s Degree in School Administration from Texas A & I University in 1968. He was a compassionate and caring educator, coach, and school administrator for 30 years for the Corpus Christi Independent School District.

He was an outstanding athlete in both high school and college. He excelled at both football and track & field. While at Roy Miller High, he was named to the All-District Football Team in 1957. He loved running the hurdles and his CCISD long jump district record remained for the better part of 40 years. He played football for the Del Mar Vikings, which was highlighted with a championship game in Pasedena, California in the Junior Rose Bowl. He was named All-Conference Player for Texas A & I University in 1961. Then he was inducted in the Buccaneer Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994. In his retirement, he loved gardening, caring for his dogs, and trips with family and friends to the “ranch” in Concepcion. He always looked forward to his high school and college reunions and get-togethers. This, thanks to the blessing of good friends, was never too far apart.

The true joy of his life was found within his family. He dearly loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. His love for his brothers and sisters was ever present. However, it was his sheer enjoyment for being a grandfather that made his life complete.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Amando and Jovita Leal, his brother, Mandy Leal, and his sister, Jovita Garcia. He is survived by his wife, Liliana Leal; his daughters, Sandi (Charlie) Pardue of Houston, Texas and Cynthia (Gabriel) Gatica of Corpus Christi, Texas; his brother, Conrado (Magdalena) Leal of Corpus Christi, Texas; his sister, Grace (Damasio) Rivas of Portland, Texas; and his two grandchildren, Tony and Marina Gatica.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 7th, at Cage-Mills Funeral Directors with a Rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 8th, at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Interment to follow at Rosehill Memorial Park.

Pallbearers for the services will be Gabriel Gatica, Charlie Pardue, John Leal, Mando Leal, Adrian Perez, Tony Garza, George Diaz, and with one honorary pallbearer Tony Gatica.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, www.pdf.com. To offer your condolences visit us at www.cage-mills.com