Dr. Pablo B. Leonardo

Dr. Pablo B. Leonardo, 85, of Lampasas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.  He was born and raised in Manila, Philippines and was one of nine children of Dionisio and Eleuteria Leonardo.  He earned his medical degree in 1962 from Manila Central University College of Medicine.

While working at North General Hospital in Manila, Pablo met a beautiful nurse named Joy, who soon became the love of his life. They married in 1967 and started their life together in Manila before immigrating to the United States with their three young children.

Although he was already a practicing physician in the Philippines, Pablo needed to pass the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates exam to become licensed in the United States - a challenge he successfully completed in less than a year.  After finishing his residency in Internal Medicine, he pursued a fellowship in Cardiovascular Diseases at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.

In October 1982, Pablo moved with his family to Lampasas, Texas, where he began a private practice that spanned 37 years, with offices first in Lampasas and later in Killeen, TX.  Specializing in internal medicine and cardiology, he provided care to thousands of patients over nearly four decades.  Dr. Leonardo retired in 2019 at the age of 81 to care for his beloved wife.  He remained a licensed physician until his passing.

A man of deep Catholic faith, Pablo was actively involved in his parish, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lampasas.  He faithfully served as an usher at Sunday Mass and took great pride in his membership and involvement with the Knights of Columbus.  The camaraderie he found among his fellow Knights, as they worked together to advance the Word of the Lord, brought him immense joy and comfort during the final weeks of his life.

Pablo was an exceptional chess player, a highly skilled marksman, and an avid fisherman who found true happiness in nature.  A passionate sports enthusiast, he spent his youth fishing or playing basketball and was the starting point guard for his university's basketball team.  After moving to Lampasas, he became a lifelong Texas Longhorns fan.  He proudly sent two daughters to the University of Texas and, in his final year, often expressed that he was "just hanging on" to witness his eldest grandchild graduate from UT - a promise he fulfilled in May 2024.

Dr. Leonardo is survived by his three children, Guia, Paul, and Joyce; his sons-in-law, Scott and Brian; his cherished grandchildren, Kirsten, Charlotte, Luke, Ellyse, JP, Ethan, and Kenzie; his sisters, in-laws, and extended family.  He is also survived by his loving family pets: Lulu, Soju, Bobby, and Luna.  He was preceded in death by his parents, several siblings, and his dear wife, Joy Leonardo. 

A rosary will be held at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 5:30 pm with visitation to follow until 8 pm.  The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 10 am with interment to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Mary's Catholic Church, 701 N. Key Ave., Lampasas, TX, 76550

 AdventHeatlh Volunteer Scholarship Program https://give-ct.adventhealth.com/give/614047/#!/donation/checkout,

 or The American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give