Louis Monteleone

Louis Monteleone, born to Julian Monteleone and Gloria Fuente Monteleone in West Tampa on June 25, 1933, died Monday November 9, 2026, in Tampa at the age of 93. His dad had a small grocery store in a predominantly African American, Italian, and Hispanic neighborhood. Life was difficult in the 1930s, however his family did everything they could for him.

He attended W.B. Henderson Elementary which was the beginning of a lifelong quest for knowledge. Next was Jefferson High School, on Highland Ave in Tampa Heights. Here he was selected for the Honors Society and to the all-city football squad. The friends he made at Jefferson were lifelong.

After graduating in 1951, Lou attended Loyola University in New Orleans obtaining his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1957. His desire for further knowledge and training led to specialization in dentistry, attending The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine as well as Charity Hospital in New Orleans. He was admitted to the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in 1962. During this training period he would meet his lifelong partner, Jean Smalling Monteleone, while on surgical rotation in Shreveport, LA.

Dr. Monteleone joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958 and was named director of the maxillofacial unit in Dharan, Saudi Arabia as a Captain in the Eight Air Force Second Air Division. He treated patients from all areas of the Middle East gaining valuable experience in restoring facial injuries and disorders.

He married Jean in 1960 while stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. She was the glue that held the family together and he referred to her as his “north star”. She preceded him in death on December 2, 2014.

He returned to Tampa in 1962 to begin his Oral Surgery practice. Louis was active in many professional associations and was fortunate to chair several of them. In 1968, their son Kevin was born and would join him in the practice of Oral Surgery in 2002. Kevin continues to practice Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in South Tampa after his father’s retirement in 2007. Louis had the honor of working with many colleagues and employing many surgical assistants and office staff. He appreciated and always thanked them for their hard work and loyalty. His cousin Linda Perez started working with him when she was seventeen and continued working after his retirement with Kevin, completing 50 years of service. When not treating patients, Louis enjoyed fishing, diving, reading, and videography. He was avid in tennis and golf at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club. He even achieved his helicopter private pilot’s license and U.S.C.G. Captains license. Louis’s sense of humor and sharp wit was unmatched, and many fell victim to his practical jokes.

Louis is survived by his son Kevin and his wife Brooke, many relatives, and countless friends. He also had two amazing caregivers, Abby and Nancy, who were dedicated to his care for his last 5 years.

A celebration of life is to be held after the new year with details to be announced soon. Flowers will be accepted at this celebration. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Louis’s honor to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Tampa Bay.