Estanislado C. Leos

Estanislado “Leo” Caballero Leos died peacefully in his home on May 27, 2024 at the age of 95.  He was born to Policarpio and Hilaria Leos on November 13, 1928.   He was born in Geronimo Texas and was the 5^th child of 6 children.  His maternal family was from Mexico and his Paternal family was from the New Braunfels area and had roots there from when it was still Mexico.   He often said they did not cross the border, the border crossed them.   

He was born the year before the Great Depression started.  He spoke often of working in the fields at a young age.  His family made ends meet by growing their own food and wasting nothing.  He often spoke of his mom making tamales out of squirrel and possum and selling them as regular tamales.  He went to school for only a few years and helped on the family farm and relocated often with his family to where the work was.   He learned much about farming and used that knowledge well into his old age.

As a young adult he moved to Chicago and Michigan to work but didn’t stay because he was not used to the cold weather.   

In 1949 he joined the Texas National Guard, 112th Armored Calvary, and was Honorably Discharged on May 30, 1952.  His discharge paperwork reads, “This certificate is awarded as a testimonial of Honorable and Faithful Service”.   

In 1950 he married Estella Davila and had 4 children.   His marriage lasted a few years and ended in divorce.  With the help of his parents and youngest sister he raised the children and remarried in 1961.  He married Manuela Estrada and had 2 more children.   

Leo worked many trades as a young man.  He was a mechanic, concrete layer, cook, construction worker, any other work he could find.  He owned a Nite club called the Roundalay Bar for a few years.   He found a part time job in a Dry Cleaners on the East side of San Antonio and worked for a man named Oliver Perez in the evenings after his regular job.  Oliver liked his work ethic and convinced him to work full time.  Oliver had no sons and enjoyed mentoring him.  He taught him the business for several years and when it was time for Oliver to retire Oliver left him the business.   He continued to work hard with his wife and built a name for himself and his family.  His son Ricky and oldest daughter Christine helped him after school.  After his youngest 2 children were old enough, they helped also.  

He opened a pickup station in Kirby in 1963.  In 1983 he sold Eastwood Cleaners on Houston Street to his brother-in-law Chris Chelmis and remained in Kirby until his retirement.  Still to this day the Dry Cleaners in Kirby is operating.  It is the longest running business in Kirby.   

Leo is preceded in death by his parents Policarpio and Hilaria Leos; his wife of 60 years Manuela Estrada Leos; his 5 siblings, Simon, Victoriano, Tomasita, Josefa and Jesusa; 4 of his children, Richard, Christine, Rosalinda and Robert.  He is survived by his 2 daughters Sylvia and Stella, 16 grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren.   

He will always be remembered as a peaceful, calm, reasonable man.  He outlived most of his friends and loved to tell his memories and experiences to family.  He loved to garden and cook in his last years.  His home was always full of blooming flowers and kept a well kept lawn.   

Special thanks to Norma his caregiver for the excellent care and nephew Dan Estrada for his frequent visits, he looked forward to them.  And to Joseph, his grandson for staying by his side in his last days.