Leo Carlyle Udy

Leo Carlyle Udy died peacefully at Power County Hospital in American Falls, ID, on Monday, Oct 31, 2022. He was born Jan. 26, 1932, in the big white house on the Udy ranch in Rockland, ID, to Allen Udy and Dorothy Lee Sluder Udy. The county nurse came on horseback through the snow to help with the delivery.
Leo grew up on the family ranch with his siblings Dorothy Allene (Jim) and Donald Allen (Odell) until he was 14 years old. For the next few years, he lived in various locations in Utah and Idaho until he moved from Carey, ID, to Vale, OR, for his final high school years. This is where he met his eternal companion, Rhea Barlow, at a church dance. After graduating from Vale High School, Leo joined the U.S. Navy and served four years as a machinist mate on the Destroyer USS Blue during the Korean conflict and throughout the Pacific.
Leo and Rhea were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on Nov. 20, 1952. They have three sons, Lon Carlyle (Carleen), Kevin Eugene (JoLynn, and then Susan) and Craig Alyn (Julia). These children provided them with 11 grandchildren, Raelyn Moffett, Jolyn Smith, Kaelyn Udy, Scott Udy, Sarah Welch, Devin Udy, Landon Udy, Emily Barrera, Jackson Udy, Tyler Udy, and Cole Udy. They also have 19 great-grandchildren, soon to be 20. Leo is preceded in death by his wife Rhea, sons Kevin and Lon, and granddaughter Jolyn.
Leo and Rhea began their marriage in southern California while Leo completed his commitment to the Navy and then worked in electrical power generation. He studied Mechanical Engineering on the G.I. Bill while working in California and then completed his bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University in 1960. After completing his degree, his career opportunities took the family to southern California, Centralia, WA and Kemmerer, WY. After an early retirement, Leo’s dream came true to return to the family ranch in Rockland. They made this their home base. With Leo’s knowledge and skills, he was able to consult in northern California, London, England and San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Leo loved people and serving and working around his community and around the world – always encouraging others.
As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Leo served in many callings as bishopric member, high council member, and stake president – always having a special spot in his heart for the youth. After his career and consulting work, Leo and Rhea devoted the next portion of their lives to the Lord – they served five missions – Adam ondi Aman then as temple construction and maintenance missionaries at Edmonton, Canada, Nashville, TN, Snowflake, AZ, and Nauvoo, IL, temples. When they came back to Rockland to live full time, they served as ordinance workers in the Idaho Falls Temple. Leo also enjoyed the time in Rockland volunteering in several projects including project managing the completion of the Rockland School Gymnasium.
Leo and Rhea had very kind hearts and welcomed foster children, exchange students, friends, and relatives, many with summer jobs at Leo’s power plants, along with invites to stay in their home. He was amazing at figuring out mechanical or electrical issues and he fixed many car and home issues for family and friends. Leo fell in love with Ford Mustangs when he bought a new Prairie Bronze 1964 ½ coupe. Mustang fever spread to his sons working together on many restoration projects. He loved his vehicles ranging from Mustangs, Harley-Davidson, Mercury coupe, Model As, MG convertible, and his Ol’ Yeller Chevy pickup – always keeping things tuned and running well. One of his favorite projects was restoring a twin-seater tail- dragger Aeronca Chief plane in his southern California garage and learning to fly it with his neighbor. He had that Udy wanderlust and loved adventure.
Leo also loved to have fun. With family coming for Christmas at the ranch, Leo built a sleigh for old Champ to pull, and everyone enjoyed rides in the snow-covered fields. One of Leo’s favorite spots was Bull Canyon – rounding up cattle with his cousins, uncles, sons, and dad. Leo also enjoyed water and snow skiing – at company picnics he would often water ski leaving shore in his cowboy hat, shirt, and slacks – hardly getting wet. He loved being outdoors working, camping, and hunting.
Leo lived by his mantras – “if it’s too tough for everyone else, it’s just right for us” and “let’s lengthen our stride and quicken our pace”. His encouragement, love and example will be missed.
A visitation service was held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rockland, 405 E Shoshone Street. A second visitation was on Monday, Nov. 7, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. The funeral service followed at 11 a.m. To order flowers, or to share condolences, memories, and photos, please visit DavisRoseMortuary.com.