Matthew Daniel Leyba

Matthew Daniel Leyba, 71, of Midvale, Utah, passed away on August 18, 2026. Matt was born on November 6, 1954, in Price, Utah, and was raised in Midvale, where he attended Hillcrest High School and built a lifetime of friendships that would define who he was. Matt loved his hometown of Midvale, and as a kid he spent countless hours at Vincent Drug, building memories he carried fondly with him his entire life.

Matt spent his early working years at Señor Pepe's, followed by the Kennecott Copper Mine, where he worked for the duration of his career. Matt was passionate about baseball and was a devoted Boston Red Sox fan. In the early days when Matt wasn’t working long shifts at Kennecott, he also worked part-time as a baseball umpire. Matt loved music, and all who knew him could tell you the soundtrack of his life was Creedence Clearwater Revival. There was never a day that passed without Matt mentioning John Fogerty. He also loved Elton John and Billy Joel, and in his final days shared with his family that “Piano Man” was his favorite song of all time. Matt found joy in reading, history, and travel. He journeyed to Italy first with his wife, and later with his daughters, memories he treasured for the rest of his life.

Above everything, Matt was a family man. He was married to the love of his life, Shirley Manzanares, on July 13, 1974, and shared 50 wonderful years together until her unexpected passing on October 22, 2024, a loss that devastated Matt, their three daughters, and the entire family. We take comfort knowing he is now reunited with Shirley in eternity. Shirley and Matt's home was the heart of the family for decades. The Leyba home was the place where holidays, incredible meals, and countless parties unfolded, and where the bulk of the family's most cherished memories were made.

He is survived by his daughters, Misty (Benjamin Bishop), Stephanie (James Houtz), and Erica (Felix Montanez); his grandchildren, Brendan, Christy (Nick), Dominic, Matthew “Gabe”, Quincy, and Nia; his siblings Francis (Mickey) Martinez, Robert (Gloria) Leyba, Vickey (Bill (Dec.)) Webber, Jo Ann Leyba, Matilda Carter, Beverly (Ray) Ellis, Debbie (David (dec.)) Salter, and Jackie (Tim) Draper; along with his cherished niece, Chastady Manzanarez, and his lifelong best friend, Ruben Lopez. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Carmen Leyba; his brother, Tommy Leyba; and his wife, Shirley.

Family will always remember Matt as a storyteller with a mischievous sense of humor. He shared inside jokes and loving sentiments with his daughters their entire lives: “Of a Jungle” and “Love you more, got you last.” And no visit with his lifelong best friend, Ruben Lopez, was complete without Matt reminding him to “eat the corn.”

Matt's legacy is one of warmth, laughter, and loyalty. He taught his family, above all else, how important it is to hold onto the people you love and to show up for them, to be a good friend, and to always help the ones who need you. He loved every job he ever had, made friends everywhere he worked, and left every room a little brighter than he found it. He will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.