Leonard Ezekiel Ayala

Leonard E. Ayala passed away June 6, 2022 after battling a short illness. He was 94. Born January 23, 1928 in Honomu, HI, to Carlos and Josefine (Fina) Ayala. He was married in 1953 to Frances Perry of Honokaa, HI.

Leonard served in the US Army, stationed in Germany from 1953 to 1955, but his service spanned a total of 22 years in which he also served in the National Guard.  In 1964, he moved his family of 3 children to the San Francisco Bay Area where he worked from 1964 to 1992 for Peterson Tractors Co. in San Leandro, CA. He retired back to his home of Hawaii in 1994 and lived in Hilo for 7 years before moving to his final residence in Modesto, CA. Throughout his life, he was an excellent mechanic and loved playing the Puerto Rican Cuatro guitar, which he taught himself at the age of 17.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Gerard Ayala, and siblings, Lawrence Ayala, Elsie Montiho, Lurline Montiho, and Dorothy Ayala. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Frances Ayala, children, Leonard Ayala (Margo) of Livermore, CA, Leonette Ayala of Union City, CA; daughter-in-law, Teresa Ayala of Pittsburg, CA; 9 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Ayala on Oahu, HI, and many more dear family and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home, 1050 McHenry Ave, in Modesto. The graveside service with military honors will follow on Thursday, June 30th at 12:30 p.m. at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd, in Dixon.

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