People may have heard of Bliss, Idaho, but no one actually comes from Bliss, Idaho. Joe Leach is one of those fortunate individuals who did. Growing up he spent early mornings milking cows before school on the family farm north of Bliss. Frequently he would hop on his horse and ride to school. After school he would practice football, basketball and track and return to milk those cows in the evening.

 

When he was in 4th grade his mother, Myrle Leach, signed a contract to teach at the Three Creek School. She loaded up Rhonda, Ron, and Joe and began the adventure, while their dad, Dan, stayed in Bliss to take care of the family farm. It was during this time that Joe developed a close relationship with the ranchers of Three Creek and a love of the land that has lasted throughout his lifetime.

 

After two years of living in Three Creek, the family returned to Bliss where Joe attended Bliss schools and excelled in athletics. The gym in the old Bliss High School is jokingly referred to by his family as the “House that Joe built.” Joe was blessed with athletic talents that were also evident in his grandfather, Fred Leach, who played professional baseball in the 1930s and his father, Dan, who played semi-pro baseball from 1948-50.

 

Rodeo has always been a passion for Joe. Growing up he never had calves to rope on their farm, so he would ride to the desert and rope calves that were turned out with their mothers. (Not sure the ranchers were crazy about that.) He participated in high school rodeo and in 1969 was the Idaho State Steer Wrestling Champion and placed 3rd in the Idaho State Calf roping and 20th in the nation. He also participated in college rodeo, amateur rodeo, and professional rodeo.

 

When Joe graduated from Bliss High School he decided to live the cowboy life so he returned to his favorite place on earth, Three Creek, to work for Chrissy and Mearl Row and experience the ranch life. He learned hard lessons: hard work, hard-weather challenges, hard horses to break, hard ground to fall on, and hard-headed, hard-kicking cows. He also discovered good-hearted, salt of the earth people. These “hard lessons” were actually Joe’s college prep courses for a football career at Idaho State University where he was a three-year letterman. In a scrapbook in the Leach home there are letters of interest from pro-teams: Falcons, Saints, Patriots, Giants and the Chargers. However, the summer before his senior year he became ill, lost 30 pounds and could not recover in time for a tryout.

 

In 1975 Joe student taught and was an assistant football coach for Jim Koetter at Highland High School and coached Dirk Koetter who is now an NFL coach. As the Physical Education Specialist at Fort Hall Elementary in 1976 he provided kids unique opportunities. He taught them to ride calves and to rope at the Ft Hall arena. He and six other staff members took a group of 30 Indian kids on an enrichment tour to San Francisco for 10 days, visiting Indian reservations along the way. From 1976-1981 Joe held various teaching/coaching positions at Blackfoot High School and Butte County. He completed his educational career at Filer High School serving as Head Football Coach, Head Girls’ Basketball Coach and Athletic Director.

 

Joe and Vicki raised their two daughters, Erin and Kelli and son, Mike in Filer. Vicki retired after 35 years of teaching. The family members were all involved in athletics and rodeo. Mike was Idaho High School State Champion Steer Wrestler 25 years after Joe won the same title. Erin and her husband, Eric Kulhanek, live in Twin Falls where she is a teacher at Magic Valley High School. Mike is a sales rep for a wood window company in Boise. Kelli lives in Utah with her husband, Travis Smith, and their two boys and is the Owner/Operator of a Chick-fil-A. There is no doubt that the five grandchildren: Mackenzi, Brayden, Parker, Hunter, and Isabel light up Joe’s life because no conversation with him is ever complete without a detailed account of their accomplishments and athletic activities along with the most recent hunting or fishing expedition with Papa.

 

Joe credits agent Wayne Humphreys and District Manager Ron Boyd, both former coaches, for recruiting him to become a Farm Bureau agent in August of 1989. He didn’t know at the time how valuable the association with Farm Bureau would become for him professionally and personally.  He will tell you that Farm Bureau has been very good to him and has supported him through three car wrecks, one broken neck, two open-heart surgeries, one hip replacement, two lung surgeries, two pacemaker procedures, several life-threatening illnesses, and two life-flights to the University of Utah. Joe has said, “Numerous agents and office staff members stepped in willing to cover my work load during these times. Never once did they complain or ask for anything in return. Many in the Home Office and agents throughout the state sent cards/emails of encouragement and best wishes.” Joe loves his family and knows that without their support and encouragement he would never have been able to recover and return to work to provide for his clients at Farm Bureau. He says for 35 years Vicki has provided strength and rigorous rehab support that would never allow him to consider less than optimal recovery as an option.

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Vicki says Joe was born 100+ years too late since his true passion is hunting and fishing. (a true mountain man at heart) In retirement Joe will strap on his oxygen tank in the RZR and head out to hunt birds, shoot rock chucks, and fish for sturgeon with Vicki and the Grand Ones. His calendar will also be filled with travel to grandkids’ athletic events throughout the west - or just maybe there’s a golf game waiting to be played. Papa’s Posse Scramble Team is ready to tee it up.

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NOTES FROM JOE'S COWORKERS

I’m not sure how I feel about Joe retiring. I’m going to have to hold back the tears as I reflect on all the years I’ve known Joe. I am excited that he gets a new adventure with Vicky but at the same time he will be missed. He has been a great friend for the past 29 years. That can’t be replaced. 

 

Joe has supported me not only in my career at Farm Bureau but personally as well. He watched all my kids grow in their high school sports, whether it was watching their basketball games or walking the golf course. If our family went to Twin Falls or to Boise they’d always ask if we were going to stop and see Joe. 

 

Joe has always been there for me in the good and bad times. He offered advice when needed and was the first one to recognize accomplishments. Joe was always the first one to cheer me up if he knew things weren’t going the best. Plus he never gave up on an opportunity to “stir the pot." 

 

I wish Joe the best in his retirement years. I wish him many hours of watching his grandkids play basketball. You will be greatly missed at work but our friendship will never end!

-Jamie Carter, Brokerage Manger, Home Office

 

You can take the boy out of Bliss but you can’t take the “Bliss” out of the boy.

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Joe has been an excellent agent at Farm Bureau for over 30 years because his business is not about clients but rather relationships. I’ve seen this firsthand over the 25 years we’ve worked side-by-side. Joe does not do business with cell phones or emails but rather with personal Farm Bureau visits.

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Joe is a big prankster that loved to keep atmosphere around the office light and fun.

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Go into the sunset my friend and enjoy the grandkids, more time hunting and fishing and ATV rides with Vicky. You will be missed! Congratulations on the retirement. It’s much deserved!

-Rob Ellis, Agent, Twin Falls

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I can’t believe Joey is finally retiring. He has been such a great person to work with all of these years. I can’t recall even once when he came across as upset or frustrated when things didn’t go as maybe he or his client had hoped, or if things were taking longer than expected. He always has had such a positive attitude and that helps immensely in making things work between the home office and field office. He was always a pleasure to talk to and I appreciated him always asking about my family and how I was doing.

 

I will sincerely miss working with him and wish him nothing but the best. I hope he gets to enjoy his family and his grandkids. Good Luck Joe! You’ll be missed for sure and deserve nothing but the best out of life.   

-Kim Parish, Brokerage Underwriter, Home Office

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Well Leacher, it looks like you are entering another stage of life. I know I can count on you to keep me prepared for what comes next! I truly appreciate all the wisdom and advice you have passed on over the last 19 years, insurance related or not. 

 

I am confident that the rock chuck population will decrease dramatically with you having all this extra time on your hands. I know you and Vicki will enjoy retirement chasing the grandkids around and getting out on the golf course a little more often. I know how much you like your cell phone but keep it close by because I am sure we will need to go over my numbers once in a while so you will still need to attend our production meetings. 

 

Thank you for everything you have done for me and my family. We wish you and Vicki nothing but the best in retirement.   

-Ryan Rex, Agent, Kimberly

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I have known Joe since grade school in little Filer Idaho. He has been my teacher, coach, mentor, but most of all my friend! If it was not for him, I definitely would not be where I am today. He has had such an influence not only on myself but everyone he has touched! He has more integrity and insight than anyone I have ever met! I will miss him deeply at Farm Bureau, but hope to enjoy his company on a boat, RZR, golf course, or whatever he wishes to do!

 

Thank you Joe for everything you have ever done for myself and my family!

-Perry Shank, Agent, Jerome

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Stages in Life! As Joe would say, he might have been through a stage or two more than once!

 

I have had the honor of working with Joe for almost 24 years and, boy, oh boy, have we seen a lot. Joe has worn many hats throughout the years - teacher, coach, agent, mentor, friend, husband, father, and grandfather. 

 

My fondest memories will always be the number game, golf scrambles, pop flips, and my favorite - production meetings. I wish Joe all the happiness in his retirement and the next stage in life!

 

See you at the next production meeting!

-Kristy Sparrow, Finance Loan Officer, Twin Falls​

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