Leonard Gurule

Leonard F. Gurule was born July 18, 1929 to Eulalio Gurule and Josefita C De Baca and was raised in Bernalillo, New Mexico.  Leonard was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Rita Fletcher.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Helen and his four children: Diana Gooding, Leonard Gurule, Jerene Stephenson and Lynette Martin as well as eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; Also surviving is his sister, Bernadette Candelaria.

He graduated from Bernalillo High School where he played basketball and baseball.  Following high school, Leonard played semi-professional baseball and worked at a lumber mill before joining the army and serving in Wiesbaden, Germany as a logistics clerk.  Upon completion of his service to his country, Leonard enrolled in St. Joseph's College on the Rio Grande completing a degree in Education.  His first teaching job was in Puertecito, New Mexico where he taught grades 1-12 in a one room schoolhouse.  Leonard then taught school in Bernalillo for several years before continuing his teaching career at Coronado and Belair Elementary Schools in Albuquerque.  Leonard went on to earn an M.A. in Education and a Special Education certificate, spending his last years in the classroom as a special education teacher at Rio Grande and Del Norte High Schools in Albuquerque.  Leonard then become a Special Education Administrator before retiring in 1986.

During Leonard’s teaching career, he worked a number of different summer and evening jobs to earn extra income to support his family.  This experience includes fire watch for the Forest Service, a painter painting many of Albuquerque’s water towers, a salesman with Fedway and Dillards department stores and a camp administrator and teacher at Circle U Title I summer camp.

He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, watching sports, gardening, and listening to music. He will be missed by his family and all who were touched by his unique sense of humor.

At the family's request, please do not send flowers, instead, please consider Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association.

Leonard's care is entrusted to:

Daniels Family Funeral Services
Alameda Mortuary
9420 Fourth St. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
505-898-3160

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