Leonel "Leo" D Adame

Leonel "Leo" D Adame passed away on April 18, 2024, at Knapp Medical Center. Born in Donna, Texas, on April 14, 1940, to Julian and Maria (De La Garza) Adame, Leo was a man of unwavering faith and integrity.

Leo and his six siblings grew up in Donna. Leo was a great athlete and had a gift of speed. He started playing competitive football in junior high at 110 pounds. Leo was tiny but mighty; he went on to be a competitive running back for the Donna Redskins. Leo was also a choir member and had a fantastic voice during high school. It was also around this time, when Leo was sixteen, that the family endured their father Julian's untimely death. 

After graduating high school, Leo joined the U.S. National Guard and was called to active duty. He returned to Donna, his hometown, in 1960 and started a job at KRGV.  

Leo's decision to join KRGV couldn't have been more ideal. His career as a producer and director would span nearly five decades. Leo's countless contributions to the media industry and local community have been priceless. One of the most cherished events Leo produced and hosted was the annual Easter Seals Telethon. Leo looked forward to the event for nearly thirty years. At an Easter Seals Telethon in 1981, Leo met his loving companion, Frances Garcia. Another favorite for Leo was the live production of midnight mass at The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Brownsville. J.J. fondly remembers Dad waking him up to tag along. They always had breakfast afterward, an annual tradition reinforcing their father-son bond. 

Throughout his life, Leo continued to support his alma mater as a lifelong member of the Quarterback Club. He was the volunteer photographer for the Donna Redskins. Leo followed all local sports, especially his late niece, Coach Irma Avila's basketball girls, The Donna Bravettes. Leo also continued singing in a choir. He and some lifelong friends had a group called "The Poor Boys." They would often serenade all night for Mother's Day and other events. 

Leo was also a member of the Donna Lion's Club for many years.

Leo loved all sports, even though his alma mater was his favorite. He watched football, and Notre Dame football and girls' basketball were the teams he followed. 

Leo was also a natural artist and was very creative. He had an exceptional talent for drawing and sketching. Leo was a jack of all trades around the house. He was an excellent carpenter and could fix just about anything. 

Leo was able to travel. He and Frances took an Alaskan Cruise and went to Lake Tahoe, Reno, and Mexico, to name a few. Although Leo's devotion to his children was the priority, he took Frances out dancing every New Year's Eve.

Leo's proudest accomplishments revolved around his role as a single dad. He was dedicated to J.J. and Bethie. He skipped many social events or left early to be home for his kids. Leo led by example. He was a positive, selfless, loving, honest, and respectful role model. Many may have seen Leo's devotion to his children as a sacrifice, but Leo saw it as the best opportunity God had given him. 

Finally, Leo's life of dedication, service, and honor can be explained by his unwavering faith. Leo was a devout Catholic his entire life. He volunteered at his parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, whenever there was a need. Leo's artistic talent was appreciated when he would paint billboards for the annual church bizarre. 

Leo is preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Maria Adame; his siblings, Alfredo Adame and Oscar Adame; his wife, Connie, Irene Avila; and her husband, Roy; and his sister-in-law, Hilda Adame. 

He is survived by his son J.J. Adame (Erin) of Weslaco, daughter, Bethie Anthony (Curtis) of Clovis, NM, loving companion Frances Garcia, siblings Julian Adame (Hilda+), Elia Melendez (James), and Norma Arizpe (Victor), sister-in-law Eva Adame (widow of Alfredo), grandchildren, Bella, Brady, and J.J. Adame,  and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be on Thursday, April 25, from 1 to 9 p.m., with a Holy Rosary at 7 p.m. Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 26, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Donna. Leo will be laid to rest at  Donna City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Easter Seals in honor and memory of Leonel "Leo" D Adame can be made at https://www.easterseals.com/rgv/ or P.O. Box 489, McAllen, TX 78505-0489 | 956-631-9171. 

Serving as pallbearers will be Daryl Smith, Gabriel Handy, VJ Arizpe, Andrew Arizpe, Roman McCorkle, and George McCorkle.