Martinel "Marty" Leal Sr., 77, passed away Wednesday April 24, 2024, peacefully in his home surrounded by his children and his devoted wife in Brownsville, TX. Martinel was born on December 29, 1946, to Manuel Leal Jr and Elodia F. Leal. In 1965 he graduated from Brownsville High School and went on to enlist in the United States Airforce. He completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base as a member of the Tactical Air Command. He proudly served for 26 years before being honorably discharged. Shortly after his retirement from the Air Force, he was employed with the United States Postal Service for 25 years. Aside from being an avid football fan and not missing a game on Sunday (especially the Raiders), Martinel enjoyed traveling with his family, listening to Willie Nelson, reading the newspaper, watching CNN, and always greeted people with a big smile and a witty joke. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He is preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Elodia Leal and brother Samuel (Sammy) Leal. Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife Maribel Leal and her children Michael Gonzales, Sadie (Aaron) Benavides, Cecily (Josue) Diaz, Noah Fuentes and his two eldest boys Martinel Leal Jr and Manuel (Mary) Leal III, his grandchildren Martinel Leal III, Matthew C. Leal, Maximo A. Leal, Claire Noelle Leal, Levi R. Benavides and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles and friends. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, TX. Visitation will resume on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. with a procession to follow to a Graveside Service with Full Military Honors at 11:00 a.m. at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery, 2520 Inspiration Rd, Mission, TX. Active pallbearers will be his two sons, his 3 grandsons and his best friend Juan Garza. Honorary Pallbearers will be his only granddaughter, his youngest grandson and Aaron Benavides. You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Martinel "Marty" Leal Sr. at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.