Rojerio De Leon, best known as Roger by friends and family, peacefully passed away at home on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the age of 89.  Roger was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on July 1, 1935 to parents Rojerio De Leon and Nicasia Salinas.  He grew up on a farm in Corpus Christi and enjoyed the farm life, caring for the crops and animals, and enjoying the wide-open spaces—passions that prevailed throughout his lifetime.

Roger met his future wife, Luz Montes, during gatherings with friends and family.  They married on August 22, 1954 and enjoyed a lifetime together, celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary last year!  Roger and Luz were the proud parents of five children, daughters Rosalinda, Roxanna, and Rita; and sons Rene and Roger.

The family enjoyed time together, especially on weekends when they frequently travelled to ranchland they purchased near Freer, Texas—again the open spaces that Roger enjoyed as a child.  The "ranch" became a popular gathering location when family and friends joined them for Roger's very popular home barbecues.  Not only a master meat cutter, Roger also proved himself as a master on the barbecue, preparing large feasts of beef and pork ribs, brisket, and chicken for all to enjoy.  Sometimes rising early in the morning to prep the fire, he enjoyed the task—again outdoors under the open skies!

Roger attended W.B. Ray High School and started his working career early in life, first working at Ed's Meat Market on Port then South Padre Island Drive during high school, and continuing with them until they closed the business.  After a short stint in a cabinet shop, he returned to meat cutting in a second local meat market before joining the meat department at Handy Andy Super Market on Ayres until they closed their store.  He then joined the meat department at Sun Harvest on Airline where he became assistant manager and was well known by customers for his knowledge and exceptional customer service in assisting them with their meat purchases.  Roger's expertise was especially helpful since his tenure was during the time when stores and meat markets received "hanging" beef and pork, and all cuts from the animal were available to purchase, unlike the pre-packaged products found in most stores today.

Roger retired from Sun Harvest in 1997 when Luz and he decided to move from their home in Corpus Christi to make their ranch their retirement home.  Then Roger truly went to work in the great outdoors, as he expanded their weekend get-away into a two-bedroom home, accomplishing all the construction himself.  He gained great pride in his work and the property they owned, and declared on numerous occasions the ranch is where he wanted to live and die—he got his wish and now looks down on the ranch they called home!

Roger is preceded in death by his parents, Rojerio and Nicasia De Leon; son Roger De Leon; two sisters Clara Soliz and Evangelina Rios; and four brothers Alberto, Benito, Carlos, and Jose De Leon.

Roger is survived by his loving wife Luz; son Rene (Anna) De Leon; three daughters Rosalinda (Carl) Wiles, Roxy De Leon, and Rita (Darin) Chase; sister Margarita Longoria; nine grandchildren Michael Kitto, Christopher Wiles, Charlie Winkler, Valerie (Nicholas) Black, Eileen (Martin) Pena, Paul-Rene De Leon, Rainey Chase, Noah Chase, and Nicasia Chase; nine great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held at Guardian Funeral Home located at 5922 Crosstown Access Road, Corpus Christi, on Monday, March 3d from 4-8pm with rosary at 6:30pm. Catholic mass will be held at St Joseph's Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 4th at 11:30am and Burial will follow at the Memory Gardens Cemetery at 1pm.