Juan Deleon

Juan "John" Silvas DeLeon was born April 5, 1940, to parents Brijido DeLeon and Juanita Silvas DeLeon, in Robstown, Texas. John left this world all too soon on March 31, 2023.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023, 11:00 AM, at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene, Tx.
When John was 19, he started working for West Texas Utilities as an electrical engineer, he worked there for several years. However, he soon discovered a passion for cars, he learned to rebuild and collect them. He soon decided on an entrepreneurship and started his own business, "DeLeon's Body Shop", which he ran, with his sons, Freddy, Fabian, and Steven, until he retired. His passion became a lifetime of classic car collections.
John was an intelligent and innovative man that would make the best of any situation he was in. He loved fishing and playing pool. He was a little bit of a pool shark; he enjoyed the technical aspect of the game. He loved to listen to Spanish music and often said it spoke to his heart. He taught himself to play the accordion and loved to sing.
John fell in love with Marcella Martinez from the moment he laid eyes on her. They married on December 26, 1959, and together they had nine children, four boys and five girls; they had a full house. He leaves a large legacy to continue in his absence. He lived life on his own terms, enjoyed life and sometimes that included his need for solitude. He will be forever missed but, is now at peace.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Brijido and Juanita DeLeon; a sister, Janie D. Trevino; son, John Jr.; grandson, Stevie DeLeon; and a great-grandson, Saint Michael Veloz.
John's life will continue to be celebrated by his wife, Marcella DeLeon; three sons, Freddy DeLeon, Fabian DeLeon (JoLee), and Steven DeLeon (Mechelle); five daughters, Maria Nowell (Brian), Marcie Hernandez (John), Janie Kinsey (Chris), Elvera Sanchez (Alvino), and Irma Villanueva (Lowell); 19 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. He also has two surviving sisters, Beatrice Leal and Betty Estes; three brothers, Brijido DeLeon (Lela), Rudy DeLeon, and Joe DeLeon (Cindy); several nieces, nephews and a few lifelong friends.


I Am Not There
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep,
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow,
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush.
Of the birds in circling flight.
I am the star shine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room,
I am the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die.