BORN: January 12, 1932 in Rhineland, TX (recorded as being born in Benjamin, TX). Rosalio died in Dallas, Texas on January 4, 2014.
RESIDENCE: Last residence: 3802 Gasper, Dallas, Texas 75220 (214-350-4050), Rosalio is buried at Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
EARLY CHILDHOOD: Leo was born in Rhineland, Texas, but was recorded as being born in Benjamin, Texas. He is the last of ten children born to Rosalio Valladares and Maria Bonifacia Godina. His father, Rosalio Valladarez died shorlly after he was born.. It was during this time that the family moved to a farm about 6 miles outside of Knox City, TX. Eventually moving into town about 19xx. His mother, Maria Godina Valladarez lived with him during most of his young adult life, later moving to live with his sister Gregoria (Golla) Valladres Nunez where she died in 1969. He spent most of his growing years in the Rhineland/Knox City, Texas area, working as a farm laborer with the family.
EDUCATION: Leo started grade school in 1940 at O'Brien and later attended the Knox City ISD through grade 6. His formal education stopped here.
MILITARY: Leo did not serve in the military.
CAREER: As a young person, Leo worked in the cotton fields around the Rhineland and Knox City areas, hoeing and picking during the seasons. Around 1950, the family moved to Wichita Falls, TX where he obtained employment as a produce delivery person working for Benny Keith. He worked there for about two years at which time he resigned to go north to work in the fields. He went to Colorado and Minnesota to work in the beet fields; to Nebraska to pick potatoes; and Wisconsin to pick cucumbers. He did this for a couple of years, then moved to Dallas, TX. In 1953.He worked for a while for a demolition company where brother Chon was working. After that he went to work for a construction company laying down telephone cables. After that he worked for Lane Containers in Dallas as a delivery person and warehouseman. He retired in 1987 from the Dallas Power & Light ([DP&L] now TXU) after working there as a Lead Gardener for 17 years (1960-1987).
OTHER ACTIVITIES: After retirement, he dabbled in mowing yards and repairing lawnmowers and bicycles.
MARRIAGE: Leo met Irene Reyes at a "16 de Septiembre" celebration at Dallas in 1955. They courted for a while then decided to move in together in 1956, later marrying in 1962 at St Teresa Catholic church in Dallas. They were married by Father Alberto. They continued to live in Dallas on McKinnon and McKinney streets, before purchasing their home at 3802 Gasper in Dallas.
CHILDREN: Leo and Irene had four children:
