Manuel R. Leyba, 95, of Silver City was called home on Monday, September 21, 2020, at Fort Bayard Medical Center.

Funeral Services for Manuel will be at 11:30 am on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at Baca’s Funeral Chapel.  Burial will follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery with military honors accorded by the United States Navy Honor Guard Representatives.  Officiating will be Pastor Ralph Rueda. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, 40% of the capacity of the building will be allowed and masks must be worn at all times.

Manuel was born June 10, 1925 in San Lorenzo, NM, to Cirilo and Leonor Leyba.  Manuel served his country honorably in the United States Navy in the South Pacific.  He worked as a haul truck driver at the copper mines in Santa Rita, NM.  He was a carpenter and a jack of all trades.  He fixed and worked on the smallest of projects all the way up to full construction of homes, a handyman in the true sense.  He loved the outdoors, and spending time fishing.  Manuel was also a very devout member of the Apostolic Church.  He served as a musician, treasurer, and Sunday School Superintendent.  Manuel will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.

Manuel is survived by his wife of 37 years, Esther; two sons, David (Mercy) Leyba of Bayard, Clemente Leyba of Santa Clara; a step-son, Rolando “Rollie” Saavedra of Silver City; two daughters, Drucilla Rueda (Ralph) of Rio Rancho, NM, Christina Salido (Enrique) of Santa Clara, NM; three step-daughters, Frankie Jo Rios (Marty) of Gilbert, AZ, Gloria Sanchez (Tommy) of Las Cruces, NM, and Cathy Marquez of Arizona; two brothers, Eliseo “Alex” Leyba of Phoenix, AZ, and Zaqueo (Rachel) Leyba of Albuquerque, NM; three sisters, Dorcas Cordova of Bernalillo, NM, Lydia Castillo of Bayard and Ruth Vigil (Conrad) of Cathedral City, CA.  Also surviving Manuel are 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his first wife of 31 years, Cristina; a sister, Soila Ochoa and his parents Cirilo and Leonor Leyba.