Born in Carlsbad on January 26, 1931, Porfirio R. Leyva attended Carlsbad schools and graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1951. After serving with the US Marine Corps during the Korean War and obtaining the rank of sergeant, he returned and attended the University of New Mexico on a football scholarship, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees.

"Porky" married Virginia Villa on October 11, 1953. They had five children, Ralph, Rose, Shirley, Joe and Cynthia. Leyva became a very well-known teacher at the Junior and Senior High Schools.

Porky was a biology teacher and coach for 30 years. He was especially known for his "Digestion Lab," where he made delicious guacamole.

In 1987, Leyva received the AJ Crawford Humanitarian Award.

He was inducted into the New Mexico University Lobos Hall of Fame the same year.

PR was the director of the Adult Basic Education program and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, San Jose Mission, Kiwanis Club, New Mexico Boys and Girl State, New Mexico Adult and Continuing Education Association, and New Mexico Vocational Association.

After a bout with cancer, he passed away on July 1, 1988. To honor his commitment to education a local school was named after him.