Freddie Leos

Life is similar to driving a car. Looking back in the rearview mirror is helpful every now and then, but looking ahead and moving forward is what gets you to your destination. Look out the windshield and enjoy the ride.

While many people look to their past mistakes and failures in life, some people look ahead with anticipation and excitement. It always seems that these kinds of people are the ones others are drawn to for their captivating smiles, their good sense of humor, and their joyous nature. One such man lived his life with his hands on the wheel and his eyes on the horizon-always ready to enjoy whatever came his way. Not only did he make such an impact with his family, but his charm and positive attitude touched his community in so many ways. Freddie Leos traveled through life with positivity, good humor, and love, and so many lives were made richer because of him.

Freddie's epic life journey started on a cold day on Monday, January 23, 1950 in Amarillo, Texas. He was born to his parents, Rafael Luis and Mary Lou Leos, and became one of ten children in the Leos family. Shortly after Freddie was born, his family moved to Dallas, Texas. As Freddie grew up, his sweet nature and sense of humor made him a charming little boy and later a dashing young man. Even as he grew up, Freddie always had a fascination and love for vehicles, and he used his passion for cars and trucks to support him and his family. When he was younger, Freddie bought and then rented out a cement truck to contractors. After a while, he did the same thing with a tow truck and made that into a new source of revenue. However, he mostly bought and sold cars within his community like old trucks, dually trucks, Corvettes, and muscle trucks. Nothing made Freddie happier than getting a good deal on a car he purchased. He always kept up with the items he purchased, whether it was cars or other things like appliances, and knew their value. When he sold his goods, he put his charm to good use and provided a fair trade to his customer. With his business of buying and selling goods and his captivating personality, "Don Fred" soon became a respected and admired member of his community. Freddie always worked hard to provide for his family. He always made sure they had everything they needed and more. His kids described him as a "great father who was devoted to his kids." With his 7 kids, he built a life of love, joy, and fun whether that was going on trips, looking at new cars to buy, or just doing things around their home or around Dallas. While Freddie worked hard to provide for his family, he also used his hard-earned money to live his life to the fullest and grandest.

Freddie didn't just enjoy buying and selling cars-he enjoyed driving them as well! He loved getting behind the wheel of his muscle cars, especially his Corvette. Freddie would take drives in and around Dallas, enjoying the sights and people he came across. He always seemed to be on the go. When he wasn't traveling around Dallas, Freddie would take trips to other places. He took trips to Mexico, Florida, California, and more. Above all, his favorite place to travel was the beach! The sun, the waves, and wind were refreshing and reviving. He made many, many great memories with his granddaughter Jocelyn, while lounging on the sand and taking in the scenery. Aside from taking trips, Freddie used his hard-earned money to make his appearance and life luxurious. He liked to dress to impress whether he was going out to dinner or even just going to the grocery store. He dressed well in his clothes, his hats, his choice of jewelry, and his flashy, luxury watches. Everyone in the family and around his community knew that "Don Fred" was one of the best dressed charmers and "ladies' men" in Dallas. Freddie enjoyed so much in life including different foods. He loved to eat delicious Mexican food but his favorite was, hands-down seafood! Many times he would end his meal with something sweet. Freddie certainly had a sweet tooth that craved things like Drumstick ice cream cones, donuts, Tres Leches cake, mango Italian shaved ice, or candies like Blow Pops, DumDums, sweet and sour gummy worms, or Werther's caramels. Like the treats that Freddie enjoyed so much, his family knew best that he was the sweetest man in the world. Freddie valued and enjoyed his family over everything else. He enjoyed spending time with his seven kids who referred to him lovingly as "Pops" or "Papa Bear." He was always so proud of his children, especially when they made him a grandpa. He spoiled and treated his 13 grandkids with candies, toys, or even trips. Freddie's family could always count on him to show them love as well as a good time. He had a great sense of humor and told the best jokes. His family will miss his smile, his laugh, but most of all, his crap-talking with his sons, in laws and grandsons.

If love could keep a loved one close, Freddie would have never left his family, but to the sorrow of all those that knew and loved him, Freddie Leos passed away on January 21, 2022 in Plano, Texas, just 2 days before his 72nd birthday. Freddie Leos is preceded in death by his parents, Rafael Luis and Mary Lou Leos; his daughter, Patricia Ann Leos; his grandson, Gerardo Sanchez; and his siblings, Margarita Urbina, Alvino Leos, Helen Marie Leos, Raymond Leos, and Jimmy Leos. Freddie Leos is survived by his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Juanita Leos; his loving children, Freddie Leos, Jr., Helen Marie Leos, Debra Ann Gonzalez and her spouse Felipe Gonzalez, Natalia Louise Martinez and her spouse, Alfred Martinez, Jr., and Vanessa Inez Romo and her spouse, Amador Romo, Jr.; his step-daughter, Sarah Carrillo and her spouse, Manuel Carrillo; his grandchildren, Eduardo Anthony Sanchez and his spouse, Joia Sanchez, Elexis Anastasia Sanchez, Freddie Valentino Sanchez and his spouse, Elizabeth Arellano Sanchez, Benjamin Mathew Sanchez, Jeremiah Alexander Sanchez and his spouse, Dominique Guzman, Oliveah Reign Gonzales, Jocelyn Inez Martinez, Jordyn Abigail Martinez, Lillian Hope Martinez, Eric Garcia, Jr., Izaiah Reyes, and Joseph Romo; his step-grandchild, Eduardo Flores, Jr.; his great-grandchildren, Helios Xavier Sanchez, Harley Lynn Sanchez, Xavier Luciano Lopez, Kal-El A.B.N. Franco, Aimee Alyse Sanchez, Elsee Gabriel Sanchez, Ayden Ryan Guzman, and Jionni Alexander Sanchez; and his siblings, Rose Marie Rizo, Joanne Celis, Betty Louise Graciano, and Jerry Leos.

Freddie Leos made such a difference in the lives of his family, his friends, and his community. His life of love, hard work, laughter, and joy will be a lesson and a legacy for his loved ones for generations to come.