Obituary for Johnnie P. DeLeon
April 29, 1942 – July 12, 2017
Johnnie P. DeLeon Sr. entered into rest at 2:40 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at his house in La Junta, Colorado with family members by his bedside. Johnnie had battled complications from end stage renal disease for approximately nine years. He passed away in peace and met the Lord at heaven’s gateway.
Johnnie was born April 29, 1942, and was a lifetime, native La Junta resident. He was happily married to his loving wife, Mabel E. (Garcia) DeLeon on Nov. 17, 1962. They spent the next 54 wonderful years raising six children, including five sons and one daughter. Currently, they have 18 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Johnnie was a devoted Christian and a kind and loving man. He had a personal relationship with God and shared his love for God through his actions. And, he loved all of his family unconditionally. He enjoyed worshipping with his church family at Emmanuel Mennonite Church for approximately 50+ years. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grand kids, and friends. Johnnie was an avid Denver Broncos fan and celebrated in all three of their Super Bowl championships. He enjoyed taking grandkids fishing and supporting them when they traveled to participate in sporting events. Johnnie also loved spending time with his Pekingese dog Peanut. In his spare time Johnnie enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, football, baseball and wrestling.
Johnnie retired from CBR YouthConnect on June 12, 2008 after serving 20 years there as a counselor. Prior to CBR, he worked at NIBCO, Sam’s Wholesale Club, Sam’s Café, Western Canning, Majestic Trailer factory, among other jobs. Also, Johnnie and Mabel served as Host Home Providers (Adult Foster Care) for InspirationField for approximately 28 years. They graciously opened their home to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and helped them reach their highest potential. They also enjoyed being proud supporters of InspirationField and were named as exclusive “Friends of IF” supporters in December 2015.
Over the years, Johnnie served in a volunteer capacity, including: Global Treasurz, Past Exalted Ruler at La Junta Elks Lodge# 701 (lifetime Elks member), RSVP, Cub Scouts Cub Master, Little league baseball coach, La Junta Senior Citizens Center, U.S. Army National Guard (including a marksman), President - East Otero Softball Association, Swink Lions Club, and visiting residents at the La Junta nursing home.
Many residents, family and community members will best remember Johnnie for the men’s slow-pitch softball tournaments that he started and held for 20 years from 1976 to 1995 in the La Junta area. In its infancy, the John DeLeon Slow-Pitch tournament started with approximately eight teams from the valley. 20 years later, Johnnie grew the tournament to 32 teams, including some of the top players and teams from across the states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Johnnie is survived by his lovely wife, Mabel E. DeLeon of La Junta. He has six surviving children, including Angelo Griego Jr. (Emilia) of Fergus Falls; Reuben DeLeon (Marlene) of La Junta; Marcos DeLeon of La Junta; Steven (Lisa) DeLeon of Security, Colorado; Johnnie DeLeon Jr. (Jan) of La Junta; Brinda (Mark) DeLeon-Fisher of La Junta. Johnnie also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition, Johnnie is survived by six brothers and six sisters, including Tino (Doris) DeLeon, David (Yolanda) DeLeon, Val (Mable) DeLeon, Delbert DeLeon, Larry (Paula) DeLeon, Gary (Viola) DeLeon, Rosie (Juan) Ibarra, Betty (Tony) Salazar, Virginia Garcia, Lupe (Salvador) Gutierrez, Ramona (Roy) Roberts, and Loretta (Marc) Mares.
Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Patrick DeLeon and Maria Louise DeLeon (Vargas) and his brother Patrick DeLeon.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Inspiration Field (Commons Area) located at 612 Adams Ave. in La Junta, Colorado, followed by a brief graveside service at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta. The services will be officiated by Pastor Jeremy Yoder. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to InspirationField (via their website: www.inspirationfield.org or in person at 612 Adams Ave., La Junta, CO 81050), or Emmanuel Mennonite Church (502 Harriett Ave., La Junta, CO 81050), or Fresenius Dialysis Center (1116 Carson Ave., La Junta, CO 81050).
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Johnson-Romero Funeral Home.
Online Condolences and shared memories can be made at johnsonromero.com.
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Johnnie P. DeLeon Sr. entered into rest at 2:40 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at his house in La Junta, Colorado with family members by his bedside. Johnnie had battled complications from end stage renal disease for approximately nine years. He passed away in peace and met the Lord at heaven’s gateway.
Johnnie was born April 29, 1942, and was a lifetime, native La Junta resident. He was happily married to his loving wife, Mabel E. (Garcia) DeLeon on Nov. 17, 1962. They spent the next 54 wonderful years raising six children, including five sons and one daughter. Currently, they have 18 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Johnnie was a devoted Christian and a kind and loving man. He had a personal relationship with God and shared his love for God through his actions. And, he loved all of his family unconditionally. He enjoyed worshipping with his church family at Emmanuel Mennonite Church for approximately 50+ years. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grand kids, and friends. Johnnie was an avid Denver Broncos fan and celebrated in all three of their Super Bowl championships. He enjoyed taking grandkids fishing and supporting them when they traveled to participate in sporting events. Johnnie also loved spending time with his Pekingese dog Peanut. In his spare time Johnnie enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, football, baseball and wrestling.
Johnnie retired from CBR YouthConnect on June 12, 2008 after serving 20 years there as a counselor. Prior to CBR, he worked at NIBCO, Sam’s Wholesale Club, Sam’s Café, Western Canning, Majestic Trailer factory, among other jobs. Also, Johnnie and Mabel served as Host Home Providers (Adult Foster Care) for InspirationField for approximately 28 years. They graciously opened their home to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and helped them reach their highest potential. They also enjoyed being proud supporters of InspirationField and were named as exclusive “Friends of IF” supporters in December 2015.
Over the years, Johnnie served in a volunteer capacity, including: Global Treasurz, Past Exalted Ruler at La Junta Elks Lodge# 701 (lifetime Elks member), RSVP, Cub Scouts Cub Master, Little league baseball coach, La Junta Senior Citizens Center, U.S. Army National Guard (including a marksman), President - East Otero Softball Association, Swink Lions Club, and visiting residents at the La Junta nursing home.
Many residents, family and community members will best remember Johnnie for the men’s slow-pitch softball tournaments that he started and held for 20 years from 1976 to 1995 in the La Junta area. In its infancy, the John DeLeon Slow-Pitch tournament started with approximately eight teams from the valley. 20 years later, Johnnie grew the tournament to 32 teams, including some of the top players and teams from across the states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Johnnie is survived by his lovely wife, Mabel E. DeLeon of La Junta. He has six surviving children, including Angelo Griego Jr. (Emilia) of Fergus Falls; Reuben DeLeon (Marlene) of La Junta; Marcos DeLeon of La Junta; Steven (Lisa) DeLeon of Security, Colorado; Johnnie DeLeon Jr. (Jan) of La Junta; Brinda (Mark) DeLeon-Fisher of La Junta. Johnnie also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition, Johnnie is survived by six brothers and six sisters, including Tino (Doris) DeLeon, David (Yolanda) DeLeon, Val (Mable) DeLeon, Delbert DeLeon, Larry (Paula) DeLeon, Gary (Viola) DeLeon, Rosie (Juan) Ibarra, Betty (Tony) Salazar, Virginia Garcia, Lupe (Salvador) Gutierrez, Ramona (Roy) Roberts, and Loretta (Marc) Mares.
Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Patrick DeLeon and Maria Louise DeLeon (Vargas) and his brother Patrick DeLeon.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Inspiration Field (Commons Area) located at 612 Adams Ave. in La Junta, Colorado, followed by a brief graveside service at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta. The services will be officiated by Pastor Jeremy Yoder. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to InspirationField (via their website: www.inspirationfield.org or in person at 612 Adams Ave., La Junta, CO 81050), or Emmanuel Mennonite Church (502 Harriett Ave., La Junta, CO 81050), or Fresenius Dialysis Center (1116 Carson Ave., La Junta, CO 81050).
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Johnson-Romero Funeral Home.
Online Condolences and shared memories can be made at johnsonromero.com.
To plant a tree in memory of Johnnie P. DeLeon, visit the Tribute Store.
Cemetery Details
Location
Fairview Cemetery
402 Potter Drive
La Junta, CO 81050
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