Leandro Vera Fernandez

 Vera Fernandez

February 27, 1947 – June 7, 2025

Leandro Vera Fernandez, affectionately known as “Val” or “Mr. Leo”, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2025, at the age of 78, surrounded by his loving family at his daughter’s home in Spring, Texas. He was born on February 27, 1947, in Anahuac, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He is survived by his beloved wife, Angelita “Angie” Moreno, and their four children: Becky Rodriguez and her husband, Jerry from San Antonio, TX; America Vargas and her husband, Raul “Roy” from Spring, TX; Leandro “Leo” Vera Jr. and his wife, Virginia from Conroe, TX; Sylvia Almendarez and her husband, Frankie from Houston, TX. Leandro was a proud grandfather to 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Elsa Vera from Ventura, CA, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elizamo H. Vera and Cecilia Fernandez, and his brothers: Elizamo Jr., Eleazar, Elias, Esequiel, and Eloy Vera.

Leandro’s life journey began in Mexico but soon moved to Laredo, Texas, where his family became migrant farmers. From there, they traveled through Utah and Idaho, finally settled in California. It was in Madera, CA, where he met and married the love of his life, Angie. After their daughter America was born, the family moved to Houston, where Leandro Jr. was born. Eventually, Leandro returned to California and settled in Ventura, where he spent most of his life. Leandro had a passion for motorcycles, often riding through hills and valleys. He attended the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally five times, sharing the experience with great friends Gary Peterson, John Thompson and son Kevin, and Jeff Tracy. A skilled craftsman, he specialized in paint and bodywork for motorcycles and cars—one of his custom paint jobs even made the cover of a motorcycle magazine. He loved taking his grandchildren to Sequoia National Park during summer visits and spent many hours hiking, cycling, and enjoying nature, particularly the trails from Casitas Springs to Ojai and the beach. Leandro worked at various auto body shops over the years and eventually retired from the Ventura County Body Shop Department in December 2015. After retirement, he moved to Texas to be closer to his children and grandchildren. True to his nature, he bought a property with a workshop to continue working on home projects. He delighted in the wildlife around him, especially feeding the deer and feral cats each evening while listening to birds singing.

Throughout his life, Leandro faced numerous health challenges. He developed liver disease in the early 2000s and received a life-saving liver transplant in December 2003. In February 2019, he was struck by Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which left him immobile for over seven months. Despite these setbacks and several falls, he always managed to recover. His final illness came quickly and unexpectedly—he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on June 3 and passed away just four days later, in the early morning hours of June 7. Leandro will be dearly missed. His family takes comfort in the belief that they will see him again in Heaven one day.

Pall bearers will be: Joshua Longoria, Diego “Juju” Magueyal Jr., Vincent Vargas, Diego Vera, Jose Luis “Baby” Vera and Leandro Vera III.

The family would like to thank his neighbor, Diahann Watkins, for her constant attention and friendship with “Mr. Leo” and for assisting with his beloved dog, Max, while he was away these last couple of months. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to ATTN: Park Donation, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271, Pipe Creek VFD, PO Box 63140, Pipe Creek, TX 78063, www.pipecreekvolfire.org, or a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, beginning at 10:00 AM at Bandera Funeral Chapel in Bandera, Texas, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Leandro will be taken to his final resting place at Pipe Creek Cemetery immediately following the service.