Leonel Mendoza Sr.

In Loving Memory

Leonel Salinas Mendoza Sr.

November 27, 1949 – September 5, 2018

Leonel “Leo” Salinas Mendoza Sr., age 68, passed away September 5, 2018.  Leo is from Alice, Texas but shared most of his life in the Austin area with his beloved wife, Belen Garcia Mendoza, and their three wonderful children.

When younger, he labored in fields across the US with his parents, the late Felipe and Emma Mendoza, and his seven siblings, the late, Felipe (Consuelo) Mendoza, Dalia (Arturo) Alvarado, Irma (Paul) Gonzales, Emma (Tommy) Rios, the late, Oscar (Dominga) Mendoza, Alvaro (Jovita) Mendoza and Sylvia SiFuentes.

In this grueling work, a passion for a strong work ethic, impeccable dress style and music--The Beatles, Johnny Tillotson, The Bee Gees and John Denver--emerged. A teenage Leo crooned in a band and aced the accordion. Music and dancing were his favorite pastimes and he cheerfully hummed through life in style all the way.

He had some luck too: he married the love of his life in 1971 in Austin, Texas and together they raised Laura Ann Mendoza, Leonel (Kelley) Mendoza Jr. and the late, Tony G (Piper) Mendoza.  He spent his career as an Electrician and was always up to solve any mechanical challenge.  Leo leisurely worked in his yard in the Texas Hill Country, sipped coffee with Belen on their back porch, broke bread with his family, watched documentaries with Laura, and was the neutral fan for his sons during the Stanford/Notre Dame Games. He liked taking his Granddaughters, Sloan and Vivian Mendoza, to Target for special surprises.  Sloan and Vivian were his pride and joy and their happiness his full-time focus. He was a hard working and very loving Husband, Father and Grandfather who devoted his life to being a family man from start to finish. He wildly succeeded in this pursuit.

Dad, until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand, may you and Tony watch over all of us who love you.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, the family suggests donations be made to Living Water International.  Living Water International exists to demonstrate the love of God by helping communities acquire desperately needed clean water, and to experience "living water"—the gospel of Jesus Christ—which alone satisfies the deepest thirst. https://water.cc/  Please note the following email; mendoza@stanfordalumni.org