Jose E. Leal

Jose E. ?Joe? Leal, 79, of Casa Grande died Aug. 13, 2009, peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.

Visitation was held Monday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel, with rosary recited afterward. Funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church by the Rev. Kevin Clinch. Burial was in Mountain View Cemetery.

Mr. Leal was born Feb. 4, 1930 in Mathis, Texas, to Jesus Leal and Juanita Espinoza. He married Encarnacion ?Cheney? Villarreal on May 29, 1955. He worked as an auto mechanic in Casa Grande and Stanfield and retired from Alex?s Auto Service in Arizona City in February 1992. He also worked for the Pinal County Sheriff?s Office, serving as a deputy in Stanfield from 1965 to 1974.

He loved talking to people, baseball and Western movies. His passion was his family.

In addition to his wife of 54 years, survivors include three daughters, Cynthia Keck, Sandra Tapia and Teri Vasquez, all of Casa Grande; three sons, Joseph Leal of Chino Valley, Jesse Leal of Casa Grande and Jeff Leal of Arizona City; two sisters, Olivia Ruiz of Mesa and Lucy Leal of Galveston, Texas; 20 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Aimee Amado.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice Compassus, 1675 E. Monument Plaza Drive, Casa Grande, AZ 85122, or the American Heart Association.