Mario Leija Valenzuela

On Monday, December 5, Mario Leija Valenzuela a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away peacefully in his sleep at age 75. He was born in Mendota, California, in a migrant farm camp to Irma and Esteban Valenzuela. Mario achieved his dream and graduated from UCLA Law School in 1979. He worked briefly at both Legal Aid and Public Defenders Office before embarking in private practice as a criminal defense attorney with his brother Jesse for the past 36 years. He had a lifelong love of weightlifting and exercise. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Irene, a nurse practitioner; their son Anthony, a decorated officer for LAPD; their daughter Marissa, a medical student at USC Keck School of Medicine; three grandchildren: Isabella, Sophia, and Elijah; his brother and law partner, Jesse; sister-in-law Barbara; godson Steven Valenzuela; and niece Nora Avalos. Mario was affectionately called “Pop” by his loved ones. He touched the lives of everyone he met with his charismatic personality, humor, banter, and laughter. He valued family above all else- Pop was the solid foundation upon which his family relied. He was dependable, principled, and generous. Mario was loved and will be greatly missed.