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Leo Mirabal Samora, a God-Fearing man has reached the end of his physical journey here on Earth on January 20, 2024. Our Family laments the next phase of his spiritual voyage while leaving us behind. A man of many hats he was indeed: sheep herder at the tender age of 10, water retriever in buckets, wood gatherer, coal hauler in gunny sacks on his back, pin setter at the Ruidoso bowling alley, railroad ganger, US Navy Veteran, and father.
Leo was born on March 31, 1927, to Antonio and Theresa in Ancho, New Mexico, a family with ancestors that go back eclipsing the founding of this country and forefathers who were dis”posse”ssed of their well-being by settlers.
With an 8th grade education interrupted by many hardships and a strong back, Dad did whatever it took to help the family household survive the Great Depression of 1929 to 1939! Eventually retiring from the NM Highway Dept. in 1983 at the age of 56. He delighted in telling others, “Gracias a Dios, I’ve been retired longer than I worked!” With a rough character, but a man of his word and fairness with just a handshake. Every payday he would hand our mother his paycheck for proper dispensing.
In 2013 after 61 years of marriage our mom, Flora Chavez Samora, passed away leaving Dad a widower. “Vaya Con Dios Dad!”
Surviving Leo includes one sister, Delia Beltran; two daughters, Beatrice May (Milton) and Darlene Salazar; two sons, Leo Jr. (Boy) Samora (Gerri), Rudy Samora; son-in-law, Frank Hein; grandchildren: Jason Hein, Justin Hein, Sean Hein, Joseph Salazar, Mathew Salazar, Suzanne Salazar, Dana M. Wells, Andrew N. May, Daniel Samora, Amada Gonzalez, Andrew Francis, Leo Cruz Samora, James Weidner, Jerald Weidner; 22 great grandchildren.
Predeceased by brothers, Manuel who died in 1934 of whooping cough, eventually followed by Tio Carlos and Tio Tone; sisters, Sophia Portillo and Della Vega; daughter, Esther Hein; son, Joseph (Kiki) Salazar; grandson, Dario Samora.
A tribute of Dad's life will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Santa Rita Catholic Church in Carrizozo. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Rosary will be recited at 10:30 am with Mass celebrated at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in ZoZo.
The Samora family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.
To sign the online register book, please visit www.alamogordofuneralhome.org.
