John Leal III

John Borges Leal III, 76, died Thursday, Jan. 23 after a short illness with leukemia in Bandera, Texas.

He was born in Artesia to John and Mary Leal. He lived in Oakdale for 38 years and lived in Bandera, Texas for 10 years.

Mr. Leal served in the U.S. Army for three years and was stationed in Korea.

He was a retired cattle truck driver. He was a member of Oakdale Saddle Club for 35 years and active in all phases. He was of the Catholic faith.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Pipkin Leal; children, Debbie Rietkerk of Chino, Joanne (John) Swanson of Fontana, Larry Leal, Cheryl Foster, both of Bandera, Texas; stepchildren, Larry (Kim) Leal, Cheryl Foster; siblings, Diane (Cirilo) Silva of Moreno Valley, Joseph (Judy) Leal of Oakdale, Linda (Mike) Marino of Escalon, Darlene (TJ) Jackson of Corona; and grandchildren, Breezy and Jordan Cook, Ryan Rietkerk, Jordan and Brittany Leal, Jennifer Leal, and David (Dawn) Morris; and five step great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, John Borges Leal IV; father, John Borges Leal Jr.; mother, Mary Leal; and brothers, Manuel Leal and Frank ‘Danny’ Leal.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 12686 Central Ave., Chino. A reception will follow. Interment will be in Bandera, Texas.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Feb. 5, 2014