Leonard Zepeda, of Dunlay, passed away on July 10, 2020 at the age of 68 years. He was born September 12, 1951 in Rossville, Atascosa County, Texas to Francisco Cardona Zepeda and Josefa Ramos Zepeda.
Leonard was a 1971 graduate of Medina Valley High School. He went to work at Southwest Research Institute upon his graduation from high school. In 2014, Leonard retired after 43 years of employment at SwRI. He was a lifetime member of St. Louis Catholic Church and was a member of St. Louis Society. On December 21, 2002 Leonard married Tammy Leigh Swanson at St. Louis Catholic Church.
Leonard’s passion for football was evident to all who knew him. While he loved the game and understood it better than anyone, it was the life lessons learned from playing that had the greatest impact on him. Leonard also loved anything outdoors; hunting, fishing, taking care of his property and his animals, and working on renovating his classic Nova. His favorite part of the day was early morning on the porch watching the birds at the feeder and communing with nature. That is where he felt closest to God. Leonard was the best husband a gal could ask for, and a loving and devoted Dad and Gpa. His family meant everything to him, and he was adored and respected by all. Leonard was the very best of us. He led by example so we can all take up where he left off. He was an incredible human being that we will miss with all our hearts and souls.
Survivors include his wife, Tammy Zepeda of Dunlay; children, Monica Zepeda, Willie (Julie Schott) Zepeda and Angelica (Nik) DeWitt all of Dunlay; grandchildren, Aubrie Zepeda, Jaymes Duran, Brett Zepeda, Jaylin Zepeda, Alyssa Zepeda, Michael Zepeda, Maurida Zepeda, Geoffrey Zepeda, Rey Zepeda, Malerie Zepeda, AnaLeise Zapata, Joshua Zapata, Easton Earnest, Eliot Earnest, and Taylor DeWitt; great-grandchildren, Jesenia, Jose, Monika, Gabriella, Isabella, Aria, Cipriano, Michael, and Elsea; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lyle and Bonnie Swanson of Chaska, Minnesota; sister, Olga Jimenez of San Antonio; in-laws, Miguel “Mike” Perales of Castroville, Valentina Zepeda of Somerset, Angelina Zepeda of Castroville, Mark and Carol Swanson of Chaska, Minnesota, and Cindy and Jeff Bowgren of St. Charles, Illinois; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents Francisco and Josefa Zepeda; son, Raynaldo Zepeda; sisters, Emilia (Edward) Gonzales, Olivia (Jose) Hernandez, Ofelia (Eusebio) Salinas and Gloria Perales; brothers, Frank Zepeda, Jr., Nasario Zepeda, Jose “Joe” Zepeda and Candelario (Alicia) Zepeda; brother-in-law, Benito Jimenez.
A Memorial Rosary and Mass of the Resurrection for Leonard will be held on Friday, August 14, 2020 at St. Louis Catholic Church. The Memorial Rosary will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Memorial Mass of Resurrection. The family will have a gathering at their home in Dunlay on Saturday evening, August 15th. Leonard’s family will hold a private family committal at St. Louis Cemetery on a later date.
Please Note: the number of people allowed in church is limited to 120 for the Memorial Rosary and Mass of the Resurrection. Face coverings are required and social distancing shall be practiced.
Memorials may be made in Leonard’s memory to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (https://www.lls.org) or to the National Kidney Foundation (https://www.kidney.org/).
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.