Leroy Morfin, 79
Shoshone News-Press | UPDATED 1 month, 4 weeks AGO
Leroy Morfin passed away peacefully on the morning of Sept. 27, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. He was born in October 1945 in Coyote, N.M., to Cory and Joe Morfin.
The Morfin family relocated to northeastern Nevada, where Leroy's father found work on a series of ranches. Immersed in the rhythms of ranch life, Leroy grew up surrounded by the daily demands and quiet beauty of the land. The family eventually settled on the TS Ranch outside Battle Mountain, where they remained until 1962. During that time, Leroy attended and graduated from local schools. When his father accepted a job with the city of Elko, the family made their final move to Elko, Nev.
Leroy found employment at El Aero Air Services upon moving to Elko and enjoyed working around the planes. When he met Linda Lednisky, they married, and with the arrival of two beautiful boys, he found work at Slim Olsen's service station — later known as Western Village — at the end of the airport along old Highway 40 in those days. With the expansion of the airport, Western Village was torn down, and Leroy became a milkman, driving a semi on long runs between Elko and Salt Lake City.
After divorcing in 1986, Leroy rekindled a high school romance with Virginia "Doody" McKeen in 1989. They married the following year and moved to Boise, Idaho, where Leroy worked for Micron until his retirement in 2010. He and Doody built a life filled with companionship and care, enjoying their years in Boise until her passing in 2017.
Leroy loved the mountains and the hunt. If those mountains could talk … It's probably best they don't. He spent countless days out in the hills with friends, family and anyone lucky enough to tag along. A sharpshooter and savvy outdoorsman, Leroy knew the land like the back of his hand. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and tell a story just as fast — usually with a grin and a little mischief.
Leroy was preceded in death by his son, Russell; his father, Joe; his mother, Clorinda "Cory"; his wife, Doody; and his sister, Iva.
He is survived by his sons, Michael (Rhonda) Morfin, Mark (Devin) Morfin; daughters Donna Durick and Denise Haynes; grandchildren, Bo Morfin, Seth and Mya Morfin, Jayme, Josh, and TJ Haynes, Cami, Ryan and Carli Durick; many beloved sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Burns Funeral Home on Oct. 10, 2025, at 2 p.m., in Elko, Nev. A reception will follow at Stockmen's Showroom. Per Leroy's request, his ashes will be spread among the mountains of northeastern Nevada.