Thomas Leake

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/g9gs50JcFPQ 

Thomas Allen Leake, 75, of Emerado, ND, passed away on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at Altru Hospital in Grand Fork, ND, surrounded by his wife and children.

Tom was born on January 2, 1947, in Grand Forks, the oldest child of Allen and Donna (McGrath) Leake. Tom grew up in Chester Township in Emerado ND, where he attended Chester 97 Elementary, Emerado Junior High School, and in 1964, graduated from Larimore High School. He attended 2 years of school at UND before enlisting in the United States Army. Tom served in the 3rd Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion 39th Artillery Unit in Schweinfurt, Germany as a Private First Class Specialist E-4, Artillery operations and intelligence, September 1967 - September 1969.

When he left the service he moved to the Twin Cities and began his roofing career with John A. Dalsin Roofing Co. He excelled as a working foreman and journeyman roofer, a certified Minnesota VOTECH Roofing Instructor, and a leader in the Roofers Union.  After moving back to North Dakota he farmed on the family farm, roofed for Greenberg Roofing, and ended his career retiring from the University of North Dakota after 20 years as THE UND roofer.

He married Debra A. Gould on August 15, 1970 in the Twin Cities. They raised 3 children, Shannon, Shawn, and Kyle. On July 8, 1989, he married Diane M. Berndt, in southern Minnesota. Together they raised their twins, Kelby and Kelsey in Emerado.

Thomas had a lifelong “Need for Speed”, including rebuilding motorcycles, Go Karts, Race Cars, tractors and classic cars.  He began racing in his teens in Larimore, with Go Karts. He built and raced Stock Cars in Cedar Lake, Wisconsin and at the Grand Forks Speedway. He passed on his love of racing to his children, beginning with Go Karts at the Emerado Speedway and through Stock Cars at the Grand Forks Speedway. He ended his racing career as he started, with Go Karts, finishing in the Master Class category as points champion at the Grand Forks Go Kart track, at the age of 68.

After retiring, Tom became an avid flower/vegetable gardener and metal artist, creating unique items from repurposed farm materials. His love of trees, bird watching, family, and his dogs filled his daily life.

Tom is survived by; his wife Diane, of 33 years; children, Shannon (Don) Baugh of Fargo, Shawn (Julie) Leake of Grand Forks, Kyle, Kelby and Kelsey Leake of Emerado. Grandchildren, Andrew Franks, Megan and Ian Baugh, Aidan and Reese Leake. Siblings; Lonnie Leake, Laurene (Steve) Thorson, Todd (Sue) Leake, sister in law Linda (Gary) Peterson, 6 nephews and 1 niece.

Preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Donna.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a donation to the ALS Association in his name, or directly to ALS.org.

Memorial Services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2022 in Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks with visitation 1 hour prior to the service in the funeral home.