Leo is pre-deceased bv his parents Rodolfo and Dolores M. Gardea, brothers Rodolfo and Ignacio, and infant sister Laura Gardea. His survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Maria C. Gardea, his daughter Laura GardeaWilliams (husband Eric Williams and grandson Eric Williams Il) and son Javier Gardea(grandson Dominic W. Gardea). He is also survived by granddaughter -Marisela A. Gardea, grandson Javier M. Gardea, and grandsons John and Patrick Findley. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces and his new-found sisters Maria Keiser, Laura Morado, Juanita Gonzalez and Socorro Ortega.
Leo was a proud 1951 graduate of Bowie High School. He immediately enlisted in the Navy after high school and served for 8 years during the Korean War. His rank was A EM 2 when he earned his honorable discharge in 1959. Leo then enrolled at Texas Western College and graduated with his Electrical
Engineering Degree in 1964. While in college, Leo worked as an intern at W.S.M.R. and after graduation he continued his career at W.S.M.R. Range Programs as an Electrical Engineer until his retirement in 1989.
Visitation will be held on February 1, 2022, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, at Hillcrest Funeral Home, at 1060 N. Carolina, Ef Paso, Texas, 79915. The Rosary will be held at 6:00 pm. The funeral mass will be held on February 2, 2022 at 9:30 am at St. Raphael's Church, 2301 Zanzibar, El Paso, Texas, 79925. Interment will be at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery immediately following the mass.
