Leon "Ponce DeLeon" "Sam" Samuel

Leon “Ponce DeLeon” “Sam” Samuel, 89, peacefully passed away Sunday, August 29, 2022, in his home with his wife by his side.

Public viewing will be from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM Friday, September 2, 2022, at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 3, 2022, at New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ with Elder Anthony Eugene Harris and Superintendent Johnny Allen, officiating. Burial will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home. Military Honors are afforded by Goodfellow Airforce Honor Team.

Mr. Samuel was born October 10, 1932 to Willie Samuel, Jr. and Josie Byrd in Tuskegee, Alabama. Leon was a 1950 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Tuskegee. He was a veteran of the US Airforce, serving during the Korean War and the Vietnam War as a Military Police retiring in 1971. Leon married Loretta Dade in 1958, she preceded him in death. He has been a resident of San Angelo since 1971. Leon married the love of his life, Jessie Green on August 9, 1986 in San Angelo. Leon joined the San Angelo Police Department as an Identification Technician and retired after 22 years in 1994. He was a member of New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ for over 30 years where he served as a Deacon and worked faithfully where he was needed. Leon loved his church family. Leon was known, loved, and respected by many persons, young and old. He will be missed by all those who had the pleasure of meeting him. Leon loved playing racquetball and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren who were his pride and joy.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Jessie Samuel of the home; two sons, Darnell Samuel and Norman Henry both of San Angelo; a daughter, Jarita Camacho and husband Marc of Rockwall; six grandchildren, Dustin, Bobby, Shadow all of San Angelo, Brittney and Alberto of Plano, Matthew, and Jacob both of Rockwall; a nephew, Howard Davis, Jr. and wife Evelyn of Montgomery, Alabama; and a cousin, Dottie Nichols of New York. Leon was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Leon Samuel, Jr.