"Papa" Joe Leach

"Papa" Joe Leach, age 64 of Hamilton, passed away at University Hospital Cincinnati on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 3:55 PM. He was born in Jellico, Tennessee on June 18, 1951 the son of Henry and Ada (Seale) Leach. Joe was the owner and operator of Performance Motorsports and Machine, Leach Brothers Automotive, and Joe Leach Racing Engines. He was a member of the IHRA and NHRA. On July 23, 1978 in Jellico, Tennessee he married his soulmate, Christy Friend.

He is survived by his wife, Christy Leach of Hamilton; three children, Carla (Jeff) Broshear of Hamilton, Randy Leach of Oxford, and Kristin Leach of Hamilton; four brothers, Carl Leach of Hamilton, John (Karen) Leach of Cincinnati, Ken (Anita) Leach of Atlanta, Georgia, and Bill (Carol) Leach of Atlanta, Georgia; eight grandchildren, Tyler, MacKenzie, Taylor, Jaycie, Sammy, Abby, Ally, and Khloe; and countless other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two siblings, Betty Brown and Charles Leach.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Lake Lyndsay, 4845 Augspurger Road, on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 4:00 PM with Rev. Tom Miller of Racers for Christ officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to the Joe Leach Memorial Fund in care of the family.