Israel Leroy Navarette

Israel Navarette, affectionally know as Leroy, 68 years old, of Odessa, Texas, passed away on April 20, 2024, in Crane County, Texas surrounded by his loved ones.

Leroy was born in Vado de Pierda, Chihuahua, Mexico to Gilbert and Librada Navarette on August 3, 1955. He attended primary school all over New Mexico and Texas, traveling with his family as a migrant farm worker. The family eventually settled in Odessa and he graduated high school from Ector High in Odessa, Texas in May of 1975. He married Belinda Jimenez in 1976 and started his family the year after. Leroy worked as an auto body repairman for Davis Body Shop, Bronco Chevrolet and later a mechanic for Nalco Chemical up until he left to start his own body shop.   He was the proud owner and sole employee of Leroy’s Body Shop, where he worked up until a couple of years ago when his body no longer let him do what he loved. In addition to his love of working on cars, he enjoyed racing cars and riding motorcycles.

Leroy is preceded in death by his daughter Lisa Marie Navarette, his parents Gilbert and Librada Navarette and his brother Gilbert Navarette, Jr.

Leroy is survived by his wife Belinda Jimenez Navarette, his son Luis Israel and his wife Renee, his daughter Amanda Evette and husband Aaron Jenkins.  He leaves his precious grandchildren, granddaughters Kamelia Rae Navarette, Mikaela Renee Navarette, and Ava Marie Jenkins, his grandson Aaron Jenkins Jr. and one great-grandson Joaquin Zuniga. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Debra Navarette (Silvestre), Ralph Navarette (Yolanda), Carolina Navarette, Alonzo Navarette, Genaro Navarette and Delia Renteria (Frank) and his sister-in-law Victoria Jimenez.

Visitation is set for Wednesday April 24, 2024, at 2:30 pm with a rosary at 7pm at Martinez Funeral Home in Odessa, Texas. Funeral services are set for 2pm Thursday, April 25, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Frank Chavez officiating. Cremation will follow.

Pallbearers will be his godchildren Chris Alvarado and Anthony Alvarado, his nephews Michael Navarette, Frankie Renteria, Brandon Renteria and Ralphie Navarette.

The Navarette family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Key Energy and all the family and friends for all the food, prayers, and support during this difficult time.