Richard John Leyba

Reflecting on the life of Richard John Leyba brings two words to mind: Connie Leyba. His whole 
world revolved around his late wife. Together 55 years and forevermore in eternity, they were 
the ultimate dynamic duo. They lived a life so full that it can never properly be recounted in 
words, but those who called them family or friends know just how unstoppable of a force they 
were together. There was no dance floor they couldn’t conquer and no all-you-can-eat buffet 
they didn’t clean up. To know them was to love them and be loved fully in return.  

Before Richard was best known as Connie’s husband, he was born May 4th, 1944, to Tony and 
Margie Leyba. This does in fact make him a Colorado native…aka a unicorn. He would proudly 
tell you about his childhood, hailing from the streets of Globeville in the heart of Denver, 
alongside his three siblings Kenny, Donny, and Gloria. He was a charming boy with stunning 
green eyes and the charisma to match. This vibrant trifecta would be enough on its own, but 
pair it with his gift of gab, and now you’ve got the one and only Richard Leyba. Apart from this 
memorable image, at his core he was a family man. He centered his whole life around his wife 
and four children Dale, Glenn, Sherry, and Shelly. Family vacations, parties, and many 
memories were made in the Leyba household. During these family years, Richard worked 
alongside Connie in a long and successful career in construction (seriously what couldn’t these 
two do?!). Once his family expanded, there’s nowhere Richard would rather be than with his 
grandchildren: Shelena, Raquelle, Scherel, Shannon, Shanelle, and Christian. Richard and 
Connie would host the most joyous holiday parties, epic slumber parties with their 
grandchildren, and countless family dinners followed by movies in the basement. Lewis Street 
became the epicenter of family fun, laughter, and love.  

Richard was known for being a one-of-a-kind character. Some might even call him “Rich”, his 
alter ego that he decided was cooler than Richard. He loved live music, fishing, adventures in 
the mountains, and telling a story. Whether you knew him as Richard or Rich, you knew one 
thing for sure–the man could TALK. When he wasn’t telling another lengthy and somewhat 
factually questionable story, he was crafting the next tale in his mind and scanning for his next 
prey. You would be lucky to hear his stories though, because they were full of unbelievable 
peaks and valleys of adventure, humor, devastation, and everything in between. Those stories 
we will carry with us in our hearts all of our days. 

In July of 2019, we lost our matriarch, the heart of our family, and Richard lost the love of his life, 
Connie. No one has ever loved anyone the way Richard loved Connie. Her passing left him in a 
million pieces that we, as a family, were never able to put back together for him. He (im)patiently 
waited to join her in Heaven every single day for the seven years that he remained here without 
her. He devoted his entire life to loving Connie and caring for her during her final years. You 
could learn everything you need to know about Richard in the way he supported her in these 
fragile moments. He unabashedly loved her until his own dying breath. Imagining their joyous 
reunion brings peace and levity to our hearts. You just have to know it’s a combination of 
laughter, dancing, and Connie showing Richard to their forever home–probably somewhere 
between Dino’s and Blackhawk.  

An intimate funeral service will be held graveside at Mount Olivet Cemetery for his close family 
and friends, where he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Connie and his son, Glenn. As we 
remember Richard, we remember what he taught us all. Live fully, laugh loudly, but most 
importantly, live boldly in love with those you cherish.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard John Leyba, please visit our floral store.