Valeriano Vasquez Leija

Valeriano Leija, aged 91, of Deer Park ,TX, passed away in the early morning hours of August 19, 2017. He was born in Cloete, Coahuila, Mexico on January 29, 1926. He was married to Alicia Munoz Leija (deceased) on July 23, 1943.

Valerian had a very short and hard childhood, losing both of his parents by the age of eight. As a child of 13, he worked in a machinist shop to learn the occupation as he knew he did not want to become a miner, the normal work of the poor in Nueva Rosita at the time. He loved the work and worked at night in order to gain more experience; and two years later, he became a machinist. He always loved sports and became a sports commentator and reporter as well.

Wanting to create a better life and opportunities for his family, he and Alicia immigrated to America in 1955, with 4 children and one on the way, neither one knowing any English. With their intelligence, courage, and faith, they more than accomplished their goal.

Valeriano worked as machinist at Loomis International in Pasadena, TX for 37 years. Despite the lack of a formal education, he was ordained a Permanent Deacon of the Catholic Church at the inception of the program in 1972. Valeriano loved sports, especially baseball, the Astros, and boxing. He competed in the Senior Olympics and loved ministering to parishioners at St. Juan Diego Catholic Church.

Valeriano was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Alicia, and his sister, Dora Gonzalez. He is survived by his five children: Pete Leija, Janie Leija, Alicia Leija, Dora Leija, and Gerry Leija.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Juan Diego Church (3301 Pasadena Blvd., Pasadena, TX 77503); or Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

We love you Dad and will miss you so much.