Gregorio "Goyo" M. Leon

Gregorio "Greg" "Goyo" Macias Leon died unexpectedly at 56 years old on July 14, 2023, at Prisma Health Richland Hospital. He was born on January 29, 1967, in San Jose de la Paz, Jalisco Mexico, the son of Gregorio and Magdalena Macias Leon.

Greg and his family came to the United States permanently in the 1980s. Greg became a United States Citizen in 1992, something that he was extremely proud of. He loved this Country, its freedoms, and the opportunities it presented. Since the early 1990s, Greg operated 7 San Jose Mexicano Restaurants in the Midlands of South Carolina and surrounding areas. He loved his coworkers and customers. He never met a stranger. Greg loved the daily interaction with people. He loved to work and keep busy. There was no such thing as downtime for Greg.

He was kind and quite charitable. Greg supported many underprivileged families in the United States and in Mexico and spread his wealth around, as he said was his obligation to do so because of what this Country afforded him.

Greg was a devout Catholic, who worshipped and prayed daily. Greg was a member of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church. A devoted soccer player and fan, Greg loved the World Cup and loved soccer so much he built a state-of-the-art soccer field behind one of his restaurants on Highway 1 in Lexington for him, his family, and workers to play on weekly. These weekly games were not just recreational games but serious soccer by serious players.

Greg loved the South Carolina Gamecocks football program and loved tailgating before games. He would cook for all his tailgating guests, and everyone was welcome. Aside from his family, which he loved dearly, Greg loved animals of all kinds. He raised different types of chickens, dogs, and quarter and dancing horses at his family farm in Lexington.

His favorite time of the year was operating his food trailer at the South Carolina State Fair and interacting with the patrons, fair workers, and police. Greg was a constant supporter of law enforcement and provided food at no cost to many law enforcement functions. He never said no to sponsoring charitable events and youth sports. Greg was beloved by his friends, attorneys, accountants, and vendors for his restaurants. His coworkers were his family, and every Monday when the restaurants were closed on the one day a week, Greg would cook for his workers at his home. He touched so many people and lived a rich life.

In addition to his parents, Gregorio and Magdalena Macias Leon, Greg is survived by his wife of 36 years, Maria Raquel "Rachel" Leon, and his seven children, who were the light of his life: David Magana, Francisco Mata "Pancho" Leon, Gregorio "Greg" Mata Leon, IV, Adrian Mata Leon, Jessica Mata Leon, Alexander Mata Leon and Veronica Mata Leon. Greg is also survived by his ten siblings: Antonio Leon, Eric Leon, Dolores Leon, Ramona Leon, Jose Leon, Jimena Rodriguez, Susana Ortega, Valentin Leon, Cecilia Leon, and Meshell Leon.

A visitation for Greg will be held on Sunday, July 23, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel located at 503 North Lake Drive Lexington, South Carolina 29072. A funeral mass for Greg will be held on Monday, July 24, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church located at 2350 Augusta Highway Lexington, South Carolina 29072.

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