Teodulo V. Leija Sr.

February 17, 1934 – February 10, 2018

Teodulo V. Leija Sr., 83, of Salem peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus on Feb. 10 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Teodulo was born on Feb. 17, 1934 in San Jose de las Flores, Mexico to Felipe and Emerenciana (Vasquez) Leija. He married Cesaria Guevara, also of San Jose de la Flores, in 1958.

Teodulo first came to the United States in the 1960s through the Bracero program and relocated his family to Moses Lake, Wash. in 1966. He spent the next 35-plus years working in agriculture and became a U.S. citizen in 1987. Teodulo was incredibly devout,; attending Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church several times a week. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and was an avid athlete who enjoyed working out regularly and competing in local long-distance races, including Bloomsday, until he was 70 and poor health ended his running days. Teodulo also enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family of 11 children and 12 grandchildren. Health issues led him to relocate to Salem with his wife and several of his children in 2007.

Teodulo is survived by his wife Cesaria; children Phillip (Lisa) Leija, Velino (Cara Marshall) Leija, Antonia, Miguel, Maria, Santiago, Jesus and Rosalina Leija, Teresa (Meani) Brim, Teodulo Jr. (Aileen) Leija and Juanita (Timothy) Brown, He was preceded in death by his parents, his three siblings and children Maria de los Angeles and Jose.

A Rosary Vigil will be held at 5 p.m. on Feb. 15 at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in Salem. The Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Feb. 16 at St. Vincent’s followed by a burial ceremony at 2 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery in Mt. Angel, Ore. Arrangements are by Unger Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Providence Benedictine Hospice or Salem Hospital.