Leon Horowitz

Leon Horwitz of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, December 29, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. His life was a remarkable journey. He was born Louis Morris Horowitz on December 14, 1930 to Rebecca and Irving Horowitz in Staten Island, New York. His mother Rebecca tragically passed away when he was 18 months old. After a rocky childhood, he left home alone at the age of 14, finding work with Prell Broadway Show, traveling throughout the East Coast as a truck driver and carnival worker. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the US Navy and served in active duty on the aircraft carrier USS Leyte during the Korean War. Upon his discharge, he used his savings to purchase a taxi cab which he drove in New York City for several years. His life changed dramatically in August 1957 when, while vacationing in the Catskills, he met the love of his life, Sonia (Sunny) Calem. After a drive to the West Coast to visit his sister and explore the possibility of relocating to California, he routed his return through Texas where he discovered opportunity, warm weather, and a place to establish fresh roots. He and Sunny were married in the Bronx in October 1958 and immediately moved to Houston to start a new life together. They quickly formed many wonderful and lifelong friendships with other newcomers. A relentless entrepreneur and a quick learner, Leon started out in Houston selling dresses out of his van. He later acquired and built rental properties and apartments. He went on to build and operate car washes, liquor stores and pawn shops. His tenants, employees and customers affectionately referred to him as “Mr. Lee.” Lee loved reading, watching war movies, traveling the world with Sunny and their friends, and investing in the stock market. He was a treasury of Yiddish phrases and wisdom. A natural conversationalist, he could kibitz with friends and family for hours. He was proud and supportive of his three children, Jeff, Denise and Tracy, and his greatest desire was to give them the educational opportunities that he did not have. “Papa Lee” was adored by all of his grandchildren. He also had a deep bond with his aunts, uncles, and cousins who guided him throughout his early life, and for many of whom he later opened his home when they moved to Houston. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sonia (Sunny); his children Jeffrey Horowitz (Barbie, Molly & Jake), Denise Horowitz (Julie Adam & Nicholas Woods), and Tracy Horowitz Solomon (Rob, Zachary & Max). His final years of his rich life were made difficult by a late onset of ALS. The family thanks the physicians, nurses, and therapists at The Houston Methodist Neurologic Institute/ Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology, and Dr. Djenita Butulua at the DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center for their wonderful care, as well as his special caregivers Jemilatu, Relindis, Jasper, and Patricia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Lee’s life be honored with donations to any of the following: the Houston Methodist Foundation ALS Fund ( https://givingforms.houstonmethodist.org/generalgivingform – select Program or Initiative and select ALS Fund [designated for Dr. Appel’s ALS research]), the Paralyzed Veterans Association (www.pva.org), the Hebrew Free Loan of Houston (www.hfla.net), or the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Austin (www.hfla.org). A funeral service will be held on Sunday, January 1, 2022 at 1:00 pm in The Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Ln., Houston, Texas, 77055. The service will be live streamed through the Congregation Beth Yeshurun website at: https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b

Leon Horowitz

December 14, 1930 - December 29, 2022