Leonard Torrez Jr.

Leonard Torrez Jr., 37, resident of Alcalde, went home to rest with our dear Lord on January 13, 2022. He was born April 5, 1984. Leonard was proceeded in death by his beloved father, Leonard Sr. just hours before his passing. He was also proceeded in death by his grandparents Juan and Anita Aldaz, and Max and Stella Torrez; uncles Mike Torrez and Gabriel Aldaz; aunts Clorinda and Louella Gutierrez.

Leonard´s passion in life was his family. His wife, high school sweetheart and best friend of 21 years Renee, the prides of his life, his four beautiful daughters Kylie, Jaslene, Emmalynn, and Myla; his parents Leo and Roberta and his sister LeeAnna. Leonard was the ultimate family man who knew how to perfectly balance his home and work life. It didn´t matter how busy the schedule, he always made time to take Renee fishing and take his girls shooting while turning every moment into a history lesson. Leonard also had a great passion for our youth. He was a father figure to many in our surrounding communities. He started his coaching career with EVCA Basketball (Trojans and TuneSquad), EVYBSL T-Ball and Softball (Yankees, Divas, Fire and Ice, Mean Machine), Alcalde Girls Basketball, CVMS Girls Basketball, Volleyball and Track, all before returning to his Alma Mater, his beloved Mesa Vista High School. He was head coach for the Lady Trojans JV and Varsity Basketball Team, Lady Trojans JV and Varsity Volleyball team, and MV Trojans Track and Field. He had plans to bring back Lady Trojans softball in the spring. When Leonard returned to Mesa Vista, he was welcomed back with open arms by staff and students who became more like family. Leonard was a well-known Lecturer and Eucharistic Minister at St. Anne´s Parish in Alcalde. He was also a member of the Knight´s of Columbus. Leonard worked as part of the SWAT team for LANL for 19 years where he built relationships and bonds to last a lifetime. Leonard was also a proud Sheriff´s Deputy for the Rio Arriba Sheriff´s Department from 2011-2012. He was currently employed by Compa.

Leonard is survived by his beloved wife Renee, their daughters Kylie, Jaslene, Emmalynn, and Myla; his mother Roberta Torrez, sister LeeAnna Torrez all of Alcalde; father and mother in law Julian and Brenda Martinez; sister in law Candie Quintana (Julian) of Medanales; brother in law Cody Martinez of Medanales, Godparents Joe and Angela Aldaz of El Rito, Bob and Mary Archuleta of Medanales, Jimmy and Josie Martinez of La Mesilla, Gene and Jeanette Aldaz of Los Alamos, Phillip Varoz of Santa Fe; His Godchildren Francisco Garcia, Athena Archuleta, and Mia and Savannah Fernandez; Best Friends Jesse Boies and Donaisiano Fernandez and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A public visitation will take place on Thursday January 27, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at Mesa Vista High School gymnasium with a rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. a second visitation will take place on Friday January 28, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. and a rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. also at the Mesa Vista High School gymnasium. A mass of Christian burial will take place on Saturday January 29, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at San Juan Bautista Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh and a burial to follow at La Petaca Catholic Cemetery, in La Petaca.

Serving as pallbearers are Jesse Boies, Moises Pena, Ben Rivera, Steve Gonzales, Jesus Herrera, Victor Aldaz, Jr., Joe Aldaz, and Phillip Varoz. Honorary pallbearers are Kylie, Jaslene, Emmy, Myla, Donaisiano Fernandez, Isaiah Urtuzuastegui, Julian Martinez, Cody Martinez, the Mesa Vista Lady Trojans Varsity Volleyball team, and the Mesa Vista Lady Trojans Varsity Basketball team. The family of Leonard Torrez Jr. would like to thank Dr. Clarke for the amazing compassion and care given to the entire family and the amazing staff at the Espanola hospital ICU for their love, compassion, and care they showed Leonard the entire family during his time in their care.

The family of Leonard Torrez Jr. has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley 505-747-7477 www.devargasfuneral.com