Jeffrey "Jeff" Leebrick

Loyal. Super funny. Smart. Always willing to lend a hand. Counselor. Best friend. 

 Jeff Leebrick died at his home in Grand Forks, N.D., on July 18, 2024. 

 Jeff was a beloved member of the racing community in Grand Forks and his early and unexpected departure from this world has left a hole in the hearts of many. 

 Jeffrey Jay Leebrick was born on June 20, 1962, at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas. His family moved to Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Mont., in early 1965 and to Grand Forks Air Force Base just in time to watch the moon landing in July 1969. Jeff was going into fifth grade when his parents bought a home in Larimore, N.D., in August 1972. He graduated from Larimore High School in 1980 and attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton before joining the Civil Service at Grand Forks air base. He spent his career as a controller for one of the squadrons.

 Strong and determined throughout his life, after a car crash in 1977 that resulted in a spinal cord injury that confined him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, Jeff joined the University of North Dakota wheelchair basketball team at the age of 15. He played with people years older than him and traveled to Winnipeg, the Twin Cities, and points in between. He was also a guest lecturer at UND, where he spoke to social work students about his life after the injury.

 In 1978, Jeff began his journey into racing when he started building super stocks with his high school friend Bruce Hart. Later, he partnered with another Larimore friend, Mike Johnson, to form a limited sprint car team. They eventually advanced to the unlimited sprint class in 1989. Jeff was a founding member of the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association. In 2003, the Leebrick-Johnson team won the River City Speedway track championship.

 Jeff was inducted into the River Cities Hall of Fame in 2019.

 Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Charles Leebrick Sr. He is survived by his mother, Jan Leebrick, of Grand Forks; siblings, Rhonda (Dave) Gibler, Lecompton, Kan.; Charles Leebrick, Grand Forks; Kris Leebrick (Don Stryker), St. Paul, Minn.; nieces and nephew, Jessica (Mark) Weatherford, Marlee Leebrick-Stryker, and Ned Leebrick-Stryker; grandnieces, Waverly, Melody, and Elowen Weatherford (and one more who will arrive in September); grandnephew, Huck Weatherford; step-nephews, Lance Gibler and Brian (Susan) Gibler; step-grandnieces, Kylie (Mike) Bruening and Zinnia Gibler; great grand step-nephew, Liam Bruening; and legions of best friends.

 A memorial will be held at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks on Monday, Aug. 5. Visitation will be at 2 p.m. and service at 3 p.m. An informal gathering at the East Grand Forks Eagles Club will follow. In lieu of flowers, donate to a cause of your choice or just raise a glass to Jeff. He was true blue in every aspect of his life.

 Hugs to Tom Corcoran and the extended Corcoran family for being his second family all these years and to all of you who called him friend.