Leonel "Nene" Barrera

Leonel Barrera who was known as “Nene” by close family and friends, passed away at the age of 83, in his hometown of Rio Grande City, Texas after a few months of rehabilitating residual effects after a massive stroke. Nene is fondly remembered as a fun and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His commitment and dedication to serving others was known simply by the mention of his name whether through the church, community, or his work history with the local produce farms, dairy farm, and rural water supply, and with a 23+ year career with the Texas Department of Highway and Transportation.  

He was most proud of his “beautiful” family, and everyone had to hear about it. 

Nene is survived by his wife Luisa of 62 years, daughters Marissa B Seim and Elizabeth Barrera, daughter-in-law, Myrna G Barrera, grandchildren, Robert Israel Perez (spouse Faith Perez), Christine Melody Perez, Cassandra Marie Perez, Emmanuel Barrera II, Isaac Alexander Barrera, Hilary Ainsley Barrera and Alexandria Grace Leach, Great-grandchildren, Emmanuel Barrera III and Scout Marie Perez, and brother, Willie Barrera, sisters, Barbara Aguero, Lupita Aguilar, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Guillermo and Barbara Barrera, daughter, Linda Ruth Perez (husband Roberto Perez), Son, Emmanuel Barrera, and other family members. 

He will be remembered for his relentless smile and joking personality who danced through life every chance he had. He loved the outdoors, motorcycling, farming, ranching anything that required his cowboy boots and hat. His faith in God only got stronger as he got older, and you couldn’t strike up a conversation with him without the mention of “seeking and praying to God” for direction. 

He would lean into “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13 

And like George Strait sang, “This is where the cowboy rides away.”