Friday, January 6, 2023
Public viewing & Visitation
4 p.m.

Songs of Praise
5 p.m.

Vigil Service & Holy Rosary
6 p.m.

Saturday, January 7, 2023
Public Viewing
12 p.m.

Funeral Mass
1 p.m.

Reception and Fellowship to follow

All services will be held at
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
6723 Whitefriars Dr., Houston, TX 77087

Merće Camposano Leal Jr. age 84 years, beloved husband of Gloria Hernandez Leal for 62 years entered his heavenly home on Dec 31st 2022.

He was born in New Braunfels Texas on April 13th 1938 to Merće and Andrea Camposano Leal. His family relocated to Houston when he was a child, settling in the 2nd ward on the near east side. He met his future wife as neighbors when just a young boy. His family relocated to Magnolia and many years later he met Gloria again as teens at a dance which was something they loved to do his entire life. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1960 as an Airman 2nd class. He then came home to marry the love of his life on July 9th 1961 at Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLG) Catholic Church.

Merće was a hard worker with various jobs as a young husband, from working in the newly built Astrodome to repairing televisions and appliances with General Electric. He worked his way up to GE Medical Systems, where he had a successful twenty five plus year career as an X-ray engineer earning recognition several times for his demonstrated skills, retiring in 2000. He became a trusted layman to the youth of their home parish, OLG, eventually becoming adult advisor of the Christian Youth Organization. He was actively involved in the Cursillos, first as a speaker and then becoming director, marking the beginning of his faith journey. He was also a brother in the Knights of Columbus.

Upon moving the family to Park Place in 1970, he played a vital role in forming the Hispanic ministry at St. Christopher's Catholic Church. He was also a lay leader at the Catholic Charismatic Center and instrumental in the founding of the building where it now stands. It was this dedication to service that led him to his true calling and in 1981 he was ordained a permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Galveston Houston. He was a founding member of La Asociación Nacional de Diáconos Hispanos and spread Catholic ministry to Hispanic communities across the country.

He was a fixture in his home parish of St. Christopher's as well as among several neighboring parishes in the community where he actively served for nearly thirty years as Deacon. Over time his influence spread as he served countless families from baptism to burial and all sacraments in between across the archdiocese and beyond until he was no longer physically able.

A devoted husband, parent, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle & friend, he loved to dance, he loved to sing and loved to travel even if just to the beaches of Galveston Island. He played basketball in his youth, played softball and umpired as an adult, and golfed whenever he could, especially in his retirement years.

He was a fan of all Houston professional sports teams through the good, bad and championship seasons. He loved telling jokes and sharing stories to anyone who would listen. He never met a stranger and welcomed everyone into their home.

He was a powerful minister of God's word, sharing wise and thoughtful insights throughout his years in service and never hesitated to pray and elevate you in your time of need.

He is preceded in death by his parents Merće Sr. and Andrea and his siblings and their spouses, Tom (Lydia) Leal, Aurora (Tony) Lopez, Mary (Pat) Palacios, Joseph Leal and his grandsons Casey Reigh Wolf and William Merced Wolf.

Merće "Pops" leaves a lifetime of beautiful memories with his bride Gloria, their children and their children's spouses, Adrian (Belinda) Leal, Augustine (Dawn) Leal, Cathryn (Rick) Stafford, Carolyn (Lacy) Wolf, Andrew (Jeannette) Leal & Charlyn (Peter) Ramirez. His legacy is seen in his twenty five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren with one on the way, as well as several nieces, nephews
and dear friends he considered family.

Our family welcomes you to a celebration of his life at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church located at 6723 Whitefriars Dr., Houston, Texas starting at 4pm on Friday, January 6th. Followed by Vigil and Holy Rosary at 6pm. Funeral Mass will be Saturday January 7th at 1pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel followed by fellowship in the parish hall. Interment will be at Forest Park Lawndale cemetery at a later date.

As an act of service, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Casa Juan Diego @ cjd.org, one of his favorite charities serving immigrants, refugees and the less fortunate.