Carlos Charles Leyva

Obituary
Carlos "Charlie" Leyva
May 17, 1939 - February 9, 2025
Carlos Leyva, or "Charlie", as he liked to be called, peacefully went to be with our Lord on February 9, 2025-his wife Polly's birthday. He was welcomed into heaven by the people he loved and missed the most.
Charlie was born on May 17, 1939, in Worland, Wyoming, to Eli Leyva and Rosario Briceño. He attended Worland schools and graduated in 1957. He participated in many sports but loved wrestling the most.
On March 19, 1960, Charlie married Polly Muñoz, and together they welcomed four beautiful children-two boys and two girls.
In his younger years, Charlie loved camping and fishing with his father, uncles, and family in the Ten Sleep Canyon. They would fish for hours, ending the night with a fish fry. Charlie was also a sports enthusiast who loved watching football. He enjoyed discussing politics and had a deep admiration for cars. This passion led him to purchase a brand-new 1960 cherry-red convertible and, later, a 1957 Fairlane, which he proudly showed off. Throughout his life, Charlie maintained his love for cars and passed that appreciation on to his children and grandchildren.
Charlie worked for the City of Worland, Dowell Oil Company, and the Holly Sugar Factory. Wanting to provide a better future for his young family, he pursued higher education at the University of Wyoming, where he earned his teaching degree. Afterward, he began his teaching career in Glasgow before moving to Burley, Idaho, where he taught for two years. Later, he relocated to Utah and worked for Governor Matheson as the Hispanic Ombudsman, advocating for the Latino community for two years.
During his time in Utah, Charlie discovered his true passion-teaching. He spent 23 years teaching Spanish in Tremonton, Utah, where he became deeply involved in the community and left a lasting legacy. Known and greeted as "Mr. Leyva," he imprinted on his students, leaving them with cherished memories and valuable lessons. He spent much of his time with his daughter Sophia and her three daughters while in Utah. Charlie was incredibly family-oriented, and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were his greatest joys.
Teaching always came naturally to him. He captivated others with stories of his travels and knowledge. Even after he and his family moved back to Worland, Wyoming, he continued to teach English and Spanish at Worland High School. Even in retirement, he could never truly walk away from teaching, as his love for sharing knowledge and empowering others remained a lifelong calling.
After Polly's passing in 2016, Charlie remained in Worland until his recent passing.
From 1957 to 1959, Charlie dated Barbara Warfield, a member of the WHS Class of 1960. In 2018, they reconnected through phone calls, and in 2019, at Charlie's request, Barbara moved from Virginia back to Worland. They married on July 14, 2020, and enjoyed their time together, reading daily Bible devotions, attending church, playing rummy, solving word searches, and spending time with family, including her two children when they visited.
Charlie was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His oldest son had four children, and his daughter Sophia had three daughters: Nicolette, Brandi, and Kali. His son Jonathon had four children-three daughters and one son: Natalia, Nyssa, Mariska, and Azriel Leyva.
Family was a constant in Charlie's life. He spent endless time with Jonathon's children, holding true to his promise to watch over them after Jonathon's passing. He cherished every second he had with them, spending every holiday and many family dinners surrounded by his grandchildren Natalia, Nyssa, Mariska, and Azriel, as well as his great-grandchildren, Lakyn and Elena Ramirez. He was Nyssa and Mariska's biggest fan at school sporting events and spent weekends playing cards with Mariska whenever he could. Charlie loved going to church with the kids and always ensured prayers were said before every meal and each night before bed.
Charlie adored his great-grandchildren and cherished every moment spent with them. Family dinners with Natalia, Nyssa, Mariska, Elijah, Tiffany, Lakyn, and Elena were among his favorite moments. He loved hearing about their school and workdays and always found joy in the smiles of his great-grandchildren, believing they were the Lord's greatest gifts.
Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Polly; son, Jonathon; daughter, Debra; father, Eli Leyva; mother, Rosario Briceño; and siblings, Alfonso, Emilia, Estella, and Eli Jr.
He is survived by his youngest sister, Beatrice Rodriguez; his daughter, Sophia Gomez; his grandchildren, Nicolette Murillo, Brandi and Kali Gomez, Natalia, Nyssa, Mariska, and Azriel Leyva; and his great-grandchildren, Lakyn, Elena, Aiven, Avhanni, Axton, Avelynn, Andrew, Noah, Lorenzo, Roman, Angelo, Angelinah, Eli, Ryleigh, Kaden, Felix, and Josiah.
Cremation has taken place, and a Celebration of Life will be held May 16, 2025 in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. More details will follow. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.