Leo Macias

Leo Macias was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Leo always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Leo was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

Leo was born on August 7, 1945 at Mercy Hospital in Laredo, Texas. His parents were Rdy Macias and Maria Delgado. Leo was raised in Seattle, Washington in the White Center neighborhood. Always able to express himself well, Leo possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Leo was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Leo was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Leo was raised with two siblings. He had a younder sister, Yolanda and a younger brother, Rudy. Leo had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

As a young child, Leo showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Leo enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He took part in football and baseball. He was an alter boy in the Catholic Church. In his spare time he liked playing sports.

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Leo was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He graduated from Chief Sealth High School in Seattle, Washington in 1963. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

Friends and acquaintances found Leo an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Leo was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of his best friends were Dick Wagner, Mike Moner, Ray Mitchell, Phil LaCastro, Don Henderson and Fred Bowser.

Leo was married to Patricia Barton in Las Vegas in November 2004.. A good listener with an engaging personality, Leo was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.

Very much like a kid himself, Leo identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. Leo was blessed with two sons, Rickie and Tony.

Leo was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Leo’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Leo was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Leo could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was as a tool clerk. He was employed for Todd Shipyards for 27 years.

Leo was an Army veteran. Leo was a cool thinker who could handle himself well in a crisis. He was in the Vietnam War. He received several awards including a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietman Service Medal and Marksmanship Metal (Rifle M14). He showed leadership qualities and could make tough decisions when he was called upon to do so.

Leo enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pastime was playing softball. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Because he liked to take risks, Leo was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. In high school, Leo played bowling, software and darts. Leo was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football, baseball and Husky sports.

Leo was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. This skill made him a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which he belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, Leo worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. Throughout his later years, Leo was an active member of the Elks Club.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Leo truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included trips to Peoria, AZ; Las Vegas, NV; and San Diego, CA.

Leo was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Leo’s favorites was Angus, his cat.

When Leo’s retirement finally came in 2004, he was well prepared. He used logical analysis of his retirement options in order to ensure his retirement would be fulfilling. Still, he was able to easily adapt to possible changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. In retirement, he found pleasure in playing golf and softball.

Leo passed away on June 21, 2010 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Washington. Leo fought a brave battle against mesothelioma cancer. He is survived by his wife, Patty; sons Rickie and Tony; parents, Rudy (Christina) Macias), Maria (Orville) Mall; brother Rudy Macias Jr. and sister Yolanda Zaragoza. Services were held at Yarington's Funeral Home in Seattle on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 1:00 PM. Leo was laid to rest in Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.

Leo was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Leo had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Leo Macias.