Leonel (Leo) T. Garza- A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend entered eternal rest Saturday, December 5, 2020, in Rancho Viejo, Texas. Leonel, one of six children, was born in Brownsville, Texas, to Alberto Longoria Garza and Ester Trevino de Garza. In 1955, at the age of 15, he left Cummings Junior High School to join the National Guard. After a few years, he realized the importance of continuing his education, and returned home to resume his schooling, graduating from Brownsville High School in 1961. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the U. S. Army, and was then flown to Fort Polk, Louisiana, where he served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1962, he returned home and joined the Brownsville Police Department, where he served as a patrol officer for seven years. In 1968, Leonel married the love of his life, Rosalba de la Rosa. A year later, he would leave the police department to become a deputy clerk. He started his career working for U.S. District Judge James Deanda at the old federal courthouse, located on Elizabeth Street. Ten years later, he suffered a great loss, when his wife was diagnosed with Lupus. She died in 1978, leaving him to be both mother and father to their two children, a 5-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son. In the mid-1980’s Leonel spent some time in Miami, clerking for a senior federal judge from San Diego. He then went on to work for a federal judge in Galveston, where he served as the Deputy in Charge of the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas. In 1993, he once again returned home, where he worked for U.S. Magistrate William Black. It was in Brownsville where he would come to the end of his career, having served several federal judges throughout, including Judge Reynaldo Garza, and Judge Ricardo Hinojosa. Leonel retired after 30 years of service on September 30, 1999. He enjoyed a few years of the retired life, but it wasn’t long before he went back to work as a private investigator, eventually opening his own business, Eagle Eye Investigations. Leonel enjoyed life to the fullest! He pursued his love of flying, earning his private pilot’s license in the 1980’s. He enjoyed spending time both on the golf course, and the deer lease. For years, he enjoyed his weekly poker gathering with close friends. He loved music and was an exceptional dancer. He enjoyed his afternoon cafecito con pan dulce daily, and he enjoyed sitting down to a good meal. What he loved the most was spending time with family. He looked forward to family reunions, and holiday gatherings packed with all the cousins, aunts and uncles, and his youngest brother playing guitar. He enjoyed watching both his children and grandchildren participate in various sports and activities throughout the years. He was passionate about helping people, and never met a stranger. He was greatly respected for his activism in the Brownsville community, serving on several boards, and as a City Commissioner from 2007-2009. Leonel is preceded in death by his wife, Rosalba de la Rosa Garza; parents, Alberto Longoria Garza and Ester Trevino de Garza; sister, Mary Ester Garza, and brother, Alberto (Betin) Garza Jr. He is survived by his children, Leonel Alberto Garza Jr. and Laura Estela (Michael) Moore; siblings, Dolores Garza Champion, Yolanda Garza Rivera, and Ernesto (Maria) Garza; grandchildren, Aaron, Amber, and Adam Garza, Jacob, Luke, and Jackson Moore; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family. The family would like to thank all the medical personnel that helped our Papi over the years. To the doctors at MD Anderson who helped him battle Multiple Myeloma up until the time of his death, thank you. To his oncologist, cardiologist, and doctors here in Brownsville, thank you. To all the nurses and doctors at Valley Regional, Valley Baptist, South Texas Rehabilitation, and to all the therapists, thank you. We will always be grateful for the care and consideration shown to him. Leo T. Garza was a true gentleman. He made an impact on the lives of so many and was a blessing to everyone that he met. He will be missed tremendously, but is now rejoicing with our heavenly father, alongside his beautiful wife, and all our family and friends that have gone before him. Visitation will be held Thursday December 17, 2020 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am with a Memorial Service beginning at 10:00 am., at Good Shephard Community Church, 300 Morrison Rd., Brownsville, Texas. Private interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Brownsville, Texas. Due to current restrictions, this establishment will follow the 25% occupancy limit and all persons shall institute social distancing of a minimum space of 6 feet apart. All individuals must wear face coverings or masks. (May include bandanas or sewn or cloth face coverings). You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Leonel T. Garza at www.thomaegarza.com. In lieu of flowers, please click tribute link on top of the page(posted right above his name) to donate to MD Anderson Cancer Center today or copy and paste the following link to your web browser: https://secure3.convio.net/mdacc/site/TR?fr_id=1323&pg=personal&px=1409976&s_oo=VtDbk0Mrx3Iyx-n5Qq-L1g Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.