Theodore (Ted) Orlando DeLeon, age 78 of Ruth, passed away June 29, 2023, due to complications from Vascular Dementia.
Ted was unleashed on the world February 28th, 1945, to Eugenia (Jenny) Hernandez and Bernardino DeLeon Ramos in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Like many other “American Stories” his started when his mom (Jenny) and two brothers (Franklin & Harry O’) moved to Nevada to be close to family that was working in the local mining industry.
Ted was full of life, he was smart and popular with personality traits that at times, did not align so well with local authorities; these traits led to a “crossroads” discussion with a local judge that gave him two options: 1) join the Army or 2) take up residency in the County Jail. Fortunately, he chose the Army where he served honorably as a combat engineer. He credited his time in the Army for laying the foundations of his success later in life. His experience in the Army is likely a major factor in Ted being fiercely American. Once Ted’s time was served in the US Army, he dipped his toes into other occupations; surveying, longshoreman, bar owner & biker (not necessarily an occupation but surely a defining period in his life). He loved riding his Harley and enjoyed the freedom of riding and being out on the open road.
His wanderlust led him to a business adventure. He purchased his own rig and opened a trucking business in the mid 70’s. De Leon Trucking was a success. Ted fell in love with trucking. And, once again he was out on the open road, traveling from coast-to-coast servicing companies in the United States to meet their needs.
Ted met the love of his life Connie and when he asked her to marry him, she said yes! Ted, Connie and son Joshua made their home in the small mining town of Ruth, Nevada. Often, Connie and Josh would travel on the road with Ted, and this led to Connie and Josh taking a role in the trucking 40+ year business, both learning to drive the rig and assisting Ted with all the endeavors of owning a business including driving the rig wherever it was needed.
Ted and Connie were a big part of the Ruth Community. Together they ventured into opening a convenience store, owning and operating a car wash and purchasing homes, remodeling them and turning them into rental homes which were a much-needed commodity for the Ruth community.
Ted had a passion for classic cars and really appreciated “resto-mods”, he and his wife, Connie spent time as members of the local car club where they received many trophies for their collection of classic cars (his 1955 Bel Aire was his all-time favorite). The Bel Aire was like hearing “Thunder”, If you were able to witness its rumble, it would make your heartbeat faster (you would have to be a “Motor Head” to understand this)! Ted loved spending time with his son Josh in the shop working on the Bel Aire, passing time, laughing and “motor heading”!!!!
2007 was a great year for Ted when Josh and Erica had their first child, and he became a grandfather. Then came the 2nd granddaughter and much to Connie, Josh and Erica’s surprise, he took to be a grandfather like a “fat kid” takes to cupcakes!!! The old “tough and gruff” trucker was made soft by his granddaughters. The girls had Grandpa Ted wrapped around their little fingers, yeah…he knew it and loved every minute of it and so did the girls!
Family was very important to Ted. He loved his chats with his mother while enjoying a cup of coffee, Spending time with Connie traveling to see friends and family in their motor home. He also enjoyed it when his family would visit him, play a game of cards and spend family time around the dinner table enjoying a meal with Rice and Beans. Family was most important…Always…!!
Ted is survived by his wife Connie, son Joshua (Erica), granddaughters, Jade Rose and Della Rose, daughter Dotty (Ray) Firth, grandsons, Jon and Dave (Ashley) Firth, great grandchildren, Veronica and Jacob Firth, brother Karl (Lori), his nieces and nephews, father in-law, sister in laws and brother in laws.
Ted is now reunited with his mother, Jenny, stepfather Keith, and brothers, Frank and Harry and mother-in-Law Verda.
We will be honoring Ted’s life with a service at the Ely City Cemetery on Monday July 10, 2023, at 11:00 am. We hope you can join us.
Credit: Source link
