Adolfo Garza Leal

Adolfo Garza Leal, 94, of San Antonio, Texas passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Adolfo was born February 4, 1928 to Maria and Jose Leal in a small home on a farm in Floresville 5 miles from Seguin, Texas by a midwife at 1 a.m.

At 15 years old, Adolfo quit school to help provide for the family and later passed his High School Equivalency Test. Knowing the importance of an education, he enrolled in an academic night course at St. Phillips College in 1972. After completion of all the academic requirements at St. Phillips, he continued his education at Southwest Texas State University earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in May 1982. This was a grand accomplishment achieved while working during the day to provide for his family while attending night school to earn his degree.

Adolfo joined the U.S. Army Air Core in July of 1946 and attended Aircraft Mechanic School. He discharged from the military in 1947. However, took advantage of the governments offer of training in the technical school or college of his choice attending a radio and electronics technician course. He set up a little electronic repair shop to work on radios and other electronic equipment while maintaining a full-time job in a steel mill. Knowing there had to be a better way to make a living, he went on to serve his country and enlist in the United States Air Force in August of 1950. He was assigned to Randolph AFB to work on electronic sections of B-29 Bombers. In 1951, he was informed he had been selected for an overseas assignment to South Korea to train radio technicians how to repair electronic equipment on P-51 Mustang Fighter Aircraft. He spent his time in Korea living in a two-man canvas tent fully armed and close to the enemy experiencing bomb alerts several times a week and jumping in fox holes every time the siren would sound. He returned to the states in 1952 and was assigned to Randolph AFB.

In 1955, Adolfo met his wife, Idalia Medina though a good friend. After a short courtship they married. He was stationed many different places during his services; Florida, Japan, Kansas, and Turkey. Adolfo was a great family man and his wife and children traveled by his side. They returned to the States in 1967 and he was assigned to the Cryptologic Technical Training School at Lackland AFB. He became a Cryptographic Instructor and began teaching the course, then put in charge of the course until he retired in 1970 as a Master Sergeant. He began working at the Depot at Kelly AFB in 1971, going on to a position at Security Services until his retirement in 1994.

A man of strong moral character, well-respected and fully dedicated to the well-being of his family and country, blessed with a beautiful wife of 66 years of marriage. He was gifted with a passion for music and dedicated to the Catholic Church, he was a previous member of the Choir at St. Paul, which he took part in for 27 years. His hobby was playing with a Mariachi group, playing the guitarron (base), guitar, and vihuela; he loved his mariachi! Adolfo was an avid golfer, with a 3-handicap who taught his sons, son-in-laws, grandchildren, and even great grandson the sport. Spending quality time, he was known for his smooth swing and quiet disposition. He won the base championship at Incirlik Air Base, Adana Turkey. In addition to spending time with his children, he spent a great deal of time with his grandchildren on special outings. Times which will be remembered and forever cherished. Adolfo was known for being a handyman that could fix just about anything.

He is survived by his wife Idalia Leal; his children, Selma, Adolfo Jr, Elsa, and Ron; his brothers, Lawrence and Jesus; his sisters, Herlinda Sotelo and Esther Toscano; his 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

A visitation for Adolfo will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a service at 6:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Roy Akers, 515 North Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78205. A committal service will occur Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.

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