Jose Leal
July 2, 1939 — October 4, 2022
Jose Leal was born to Petra and Jose Leal Sr. on July 2, 1939 in Denver Colorado. As a kid, Jose attended school at Bryant Webster Elementary and later graduated from North High School in Denver, Colorado. He was baptized and confirmed at Holy Ghost Church in Denver, Colorado.
Jose enlisted in the Army in 1956 and trained as a combat engineer in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. However, he took a drastic career change and became a paratrooper. Later in life, he would joke that the only thing that falls out of a plane is bird poop and dummies. After being honorably discharged in 1958, Jose moved from Denver, CO to the Oakland/ San Francisco Area - doing odd jobs before moving to Los Angeles, California. While there, he began his trucking career at Sear’s Roebuck. His adventurous side would lead him to explore the United States by becoming an over the road truck driver working for various outfits from California to Iowa.
In 1980 he met and fell in love with Suzette Bates. They were united in marriage on August 16, 1980 and soon after made their home in Harlan. Jose retired in 2002 to have the time to enjoy his passions of fishing, hunting and wood working, which he never has much time for when driving over the road. He found time to work on cars, yard work and household improvements. He always made sure to include his boys in these activities so they would learn the skills for later in life. Wherever he went, he knew no strangers and could quickly make a friend with his gift of gab and joking nature. While enjoying retirement, he assisted his community by interpreting for the sheriff, police, courts, hospital and other places with his vast knowledge and gift of linguistics.
He loved the times he could welcome and enjoy his growing family of grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was very passionate with the little ones.
In 2012, Jose began to suffer from several health ailments in which many friends helped to assist in his treatment and care from making daily trips to Omaha to visits while in the hospital. Jose also enjoyed making his daily rounds around local businesses checking in with his friends. He always ended his mornings at Bert’s auto repair, having mid-morning coffee while catching up on the local news with the guys.
Jose passed away peacefully at his home on October 4, 2022. He is preceded in death by his parents Petra Rodriguez and Jose Leal Sr., and siblings, Maria Dunlap, Antonio Leal, and Pasty Peavy.
He is survived by his wife Suzette Leal of Harlan, IA; children Sandra (Frank) of Los Angeles, CA; Lorraine of Los Angeles, CA; Ronald (Aletha) of Los Angeles, CA; Mark (Kasey) of Avoca, IA; Shawn (Melinda) of Harlan, IA; Joseph (Jade) of Harlan, IA; 16 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; sisters Eleanor Martinez of Denver, CO; Elizabeth (Terry) Hendersen of Denver, CO; other family members and friends.
Jose enlisted in the Army in 1956 and trained as a combat engineer in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. However, he took a drastic career change and became a paratrooper. Later in life, he would joke that the only thing that falls out of a plane is bird poop and dummies. After being honorably discharged in 1958, Jose moved from Denver, CO to the Oakland/ San Francisco Area - doing odd jobs before moving to Los Angeles, California. While there, he began his trucking career at Sear’s Roebuck. His adventurous side would lead him to explore the United States by becoming an over the road truck driver working for various outfits from California to Iowa.
In 1980 he met and fell in love with Suzette Bates. They were united in marriage on August 16, 1980 and soon after made their home in Harlan. Jose retired in 2002 to have the time to enjoy his passions of fishing, hunting and wood working, which he never has much time for when driving over the road. He found time to work on cars, yard work and household improvements. He always made sure to include his boys in these activities so they would learn the skills for later in life. Wherever he went, he knew no strangers and could quickly make a friend with his gift of gab and joking nature. While enjoying retirement, he assisted his community by interpreting for the sheriff, police, courts, hospital and other places with his vast knowledge and gift of linguistics.
He loved the times he could welcome and enjoy his growing family of grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was very passionate with the little ones.
In 2012, Jose began to suffer from several health ailments in which many friends helped to assist in his treatment and care from making daily trips to Omaha to visits while in the hospital. Jose also enjoyed making his daily rounds around local businesses checking in with his friends. He always ended his mornings at Bert’s auto repair, having mid-morning coffee while catching up on the local news with the guys.
Jose passed away peacefully at his home on October 4, 2022. He is preceded in death by his parents Petra Rodriguez and Jose Leal Sr., and siblings, Maria Dunlap, Antonio Leal, and Pasty Peavy.
He is survived by his wife Suzette Leal of Harlan, IA; children Sandra (Frank) of Los Angeles, CA; Lorraine of Los Angeles, CA; Ronald (Aletha) of Los Angeles, CA; Mark (Kasey) of Avoca, IA; Shawn (Melinda) of Harlan, IA; Joseph (Jade) of Harlan, IA; 16 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; sisters Eleanor Martinez of Denver, CO; Elizabeth (Terry) Hendersen of Denver, CO; other family members and friends.
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