Gregorio Leon II

Gregorio "Don Goyo" Leon passed away at age 77 on November 15th, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 30, 1946, in San José de la Paz, Jalisco Mexico, the son of Gregorio Leon I and Maria Macias Leon.

Gregorio and his family moved to the United States in 1968 to Chicago, Illinois. In 1976, Gregorio relocated to Atlanta, GA. In 1981, Gregorio and his wife opened the first San Jose Mexican Restaurant in Atlanta GA. Gregorio was ambitious and relentless in pursuit of his goals. This venture began his family’s legacy as restaurant owners. Since opening the restaurant doors in 1981, over 25 San Jose’s have been owned and operated by his children and other family members, creating a legacy he was very proud of.

Gregorio enjoyed traveling back home every summer to San José De La Paz Jalisco. He and his wife would pack up their children and take a 36-hour road trip back home, creating fond memories along the way.

Gregorio loved to tend to his farm where he raised cattle, sheep and grew an assortment of crops, with corn being his favorite. Gregorio loved working his farm called La Leona in San Jose. Some of his favorite songs include, Mexico Lindo y Querido, Monedita de Oro, Eres Alta y Delgadita, Heraclio Bernal and Valentin de la Sierra.

Gregorio was beloved by his family, friends, and restaurant patrons. He impacted so many people and lived a humble life. Gregorio is survived by his wife of 59 years, Magdalena Macias Leon, and his twelve children, Antonio “Tony” Leon, Eraclio “Eric” Leon, Dolores “Lola” Leon, Ramona Dore, Jose “Lupito” Leon, Jimena Rodriguez, Susana Ortega, Valentin Leon, Cecilia Leon, and Meshell Leon. Gregorio is also survived by 42 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his children, Isaac Leon, Maria Leon, and Gregorio Leon III; and grandson, Sebastian Leon.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 21st, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home – Lexington Chapel, 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072, followed by a funeral mass at 1:00 PM at Corpus Christi Catholic Church located at 2350 Augusta Highway Lexington, SC. A burial will follow the service at Bush River Memorial Gardens located at 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanlexington.com for the Leon family.