Daniel "Dan" Montemayor Leal Jr.

Daniel Montemayor Leal Jr.,

68, passed away February 19, 2024, in Amarillo, Texas. He was born April 14, 1955, in Monterrey, Mexico, to Daniel Leal and Felisa Montemayor. He moved to O’Donnell, Texas with his family at the age of five in 1960 where he left school to help work for the family. He moved to Abilene, Tx, in his late teen years where he worked as a Chevy Service Mechanic. He moved to Amarillo in the early 1970s where he held many jobs prior to his employment at IBP.  While at IBP he met his best friend Jimmy and was introduced to the love of his life Lonita. They married a year later on October 19, 1977. He eventually retired from IBP now Tyson in 2015.

Daniel was preceded in death by the love of his life Lonita, his parents Daniel and Felisa Leal, his brother-in-law Cale Diaz, his father-in-law James Stout, and his mother-in-law Juanita Forrest, and sisters in law Brenda, Judy, Betty, brothers-in-law Tommy and Loney.

He is survived by his three daughters Terri and husband Charles, Rebecca and husband Efrain, Pamela and husband Gilbert, and a bonus son Michael and wife Dora. His grandchildren are Matthew, Joshua, Cody, Esperanza, Fabian, Isaiah, Liliana, Jesslynn and Melody. He also had 11 great-grandchildren, three sisters Gina Diaz, Tina and husband Eli Mendez, and Senaida Johnson, and three brothers James and wife San Juana Leal, Rod and wife Polly Leal and George and wife Doris Leal, brother-in-law Larry Wagner, sister-in-law Denice Stout, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Daniel was a die-hard Dallas Cowboy fan who also loved to dance and go camping every chance he could get. He loved Palo Duro Canyon, Lake Meredith, Ponderosa and Red River, New Mexico. He enjoyed going with his family to watch hockey games and spent lots of time watching western movies. He could be considered a bit strict and stubborn, but he dearly loved his dog Misty who passed away just a few months ago. His friends were very important to him, but he had a love for his family that was unmeasurable and talked to his brothers and sisters nearly every day. He loved his wife dearly; the love he had for her was nothing short of devotion. The romantic side he showed for her only persisted even after she passed away. He wouldn’t go out on Valentines' Day because he missed her so much. He and his family still celebrated her birthday at the Big Texan leaving her a place every year. He also celebrated their anniversary by going camping, something they loved to do together. He continued to care for her flowers carefully.   His thoughts were always on “the love of his life.”  He missed her so much, and we know they are happy together again.