Arnie de Leon

Born on November 16, 1956, in Santa Cruz, Laguna, Philippines, Arnie was the only son of the Honorable Judge Jose D. de Leon† and Lillian M. Bituin†. He grew up in Santa Cruz with three sisters, Jocelyn†, Arlene, and Joyce, and immigrated to the United States in 1982. 

He was named after his father’s favorite golfer, Arnie Palmer, but his interests leaned more to motorcycles and basketball than golf. In his lifetime, he was the proud owner of at least five motorcycles, and one of his favorite hobbies was taking his bike out on day trips to enjoy the outdoors. Other interests included RC racing, the Lakers (specifically the Kobe era, not LeBron), hanging out with his childhood friends and barkada from Santa Cruz, enjoying good food with his wife and daughters, and being a doting, makulit grandpa.

Arnie passed away peacefully on January 16, 2025. He was 68. He is survived by his wife, Dette; his daughters, Chayenne, Kristine and son-in-law Wilbur, and Lidia; and his grandchildren, James, Faith, and Wilbur, Jr. He will be loved and missed forever.

Celebratory Mass • Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Click here to live stream the Celebratory Mass.