HALL OF FAME MEMBER IN MEMORIAM
His was a kind and understanding individual, quiet but yet
stern and stood firm in his beliefs throughout his life. Sadly, our mate Dr.
Leonardo Chapa-Carrillo was called into the arms of his Heavenly Father on
August 11, 2018 at the age of 73 years. Leonardo was born on November 21, 1944
in Benavidez, Texas to Manuel M. Carrillo and Elida Ch. Carrillo Leonardo left
a legacy of faith and love. He attended Stephen F. Austin Elementary, Ella
Barnes Junior High, and graduated from Roy Miller in 1963.
Leo was a strong advocate for Mexican-American studies and
founder of the Antonio E. Garcia Arts and Education Center at TAMUCC. He was
professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi for 30 years, where he
continued to lobby and worked tirelessly to advance the rights of
Mexican-American people through community involvement and Latino arts
celebrations.
In the 1990’s The Center for Hispanic Arts Board had a great
President, yes it was Dr. Leo Carrillo. Corpus Christi American Federation of
Teachers President Nancy Vera, described Leo as a Latino renaissance man who
made a significant impact on the community. For his whole life Leonardo moved
many of his family members to scripture, music, and volunteering. He was a
Grass Roots community leader, performer, and organizer that attracted people
around him to do good works.
Leo is known for his motivating life lessons, wit, and humor
that often occurred in his music. He was preceded in death by his parents
Manuel and Elida Carrillo, and his two older brothers, Antonio C. Carrillo and
Valentine Carrillo, Sr.; surviving Leo were his siblings, Raul Alfonso and
(Eve) Carrillo and Olga Diana Gonzalez. He is interred at Rose Hill Memorial
Park Cemetery. A tribute was held August 19, 2018 by those that had worked with
him at the Antonio E. Garcia Arts Center.
May our Classmate DR Leo Carrillo Rest in Eternal Peace
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