Leo Mack Mestas was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming on December 29, 1935, to Helen Freques-Mestas and Leo Mestas. After graduating from high school there, he enlisted in the Navy on September 15,1953. His training began at the US Naval base in Tongue Point, Astoria Oregon. He served eight years and developed lifelong friendships with some of his shipmates. He was awarded the China Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

He came home from the service and married Verda Adams and together they had one daughter, Toni Rae Mestas. They later divorced. He then married Margaret (maiden name unknown) and had one daughter, Margaret Marie Mestas. They later divorced.

Then he married Bettycarole Carlson, (Carole) on October 15,1968 and they were married for 53 years until her death in May of 2021. They moved from Rock Springs to Sidney, Montana the summer of 1968 for six-week seismograph job. However, it became a place where they called home. They settled there and raised their family.

Leo worked as a seismograph driller with CL Jones in the early 60’s. As kids we always asked dad to go on a picnic on his days off and he would say, “I have a picnic every day when I have my lunch.” Over the years, he bought his own drilling rig business called Mestas Drilling Inc. In the late eighties, however, a lot of the drillers were getting out of business because the oil was running out, and the boom was ending. An opportunity to bartend presented itself and seemed like a good fit. He began working at the Club Tavern in Sidney in 1990’s and remained there for over twenty-five years. He was respected by co-workers and customers. He often told us that he liked to talk to people who came in because a lot of times they just needed someone to talk to.

Leo was kind, generous and willing to help a person out. He spent many mornings at the local restaurant, Sunny’s, at his favorite stool at the counter ordering his favorite breakfast. He loved the food there and the crew there that spoiled him and made him feel so special. Leo loved his animals. Leo and Carole raised many dogs in their lifetime together and rescued many cats too. From the first dog he gave Carole that led to his first date, he ended up remarrying and gaining three kids and the very dog he gave them. After Carole had passed away, the last of the cats that remained was “Little One,” and he often joked with everyone referring to Little One as his daughter just to see their reaction as he talked about his cat.

The family would like to thank Pastor Richard Evans, and the church family for visiting and praying for our dad. We would like to thank Val Hall, Erika Klodt, Robbin and Robert Hernandez, and Eva Schaubel for your friendship, and checking in on him. We would like to express our deep appreciation to Lisa Schlenker-Finnicum, dad’s family friend (and ours) who looked in and cared for him.

Leo passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at the Sidney Health Center in Sidney, Montana with loved ones by his side.

He is preceded in death by his father, Leo Mestas, his mother, Helen Fresques-Mestas, his brother Robert Floyd, and his beloved wife of 53 years, Carole Mestas.

He is survived by daughters, Marina (Walter Scott) Waters, Toni Rae (Tim) Frizzell, Misty (Jeff) Redlin, and Margy Mestas; son, Earnest Waters; sister, Joyce Ludwig (Richard Ludwig); many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He was loved by his family and friends and will be dearly missed.

Memorial Contribution