Thomas J Leiter

Thomas J “Tommy” Leiter, 75, was first to pass the checkered flag to heaven on Sunday, July 12, 2026, with family by his side at Miller’s Merry Manor in Warsaw.

Lifetime resident, Tommy was born on March 18, 1951, to Richard T. and Josephine L. (Holloway) Leiter. He graduated from Warsaw High School with the class of 1970 and then went on to attend the “School of Hard Knocks” as he called it. He was a race car and junkyard addict. He helped run for decades, Ma & Pa’s “Leiter’s” Junkyard.

Tommy was ornery, stubborn like his mother and loved to joke around. He was social, outgoing ladies’ man, and he was very true to his friends. The one thing Tommy loved more than racing was his grandkids and being with family. He taught his grandkids how to drive on the tracks and to always have your friend’s back.

Tommy was known as a legend wherever he raced, whether it be dirt or asphalt, as #70 or #69 and famous for the Love Boat. Everyone knew who hauled in when his blue bus, that Tommy converted to haul his two race cars in, pulled into the pits. It was full of spare parts and many memories for his girls that were practically raised in there. He combined his love for racing with his love to travel. He raced at raceways all over the states including Warsaw, Kokomo, Avilla, Rensselaer, Eldora in Ohio, and East Bay in Florida.

He is in the Warsaw Speedway Hall of Fame and among many quotes said, “You don’t need the fastest car, you just have to get to the finish line first”. Tommy thought about racing until his last breath.

Tommy is survived by his daughters: Lisa (Jimmy) Seeley, Tammy (Mike) Swihart and Wendy Leiter, all of Warsaw; 6 grandchildren: Tanner Swihart, Luka and Lena Seeley, Devyn (Annabelle) and Brendyn Bradley and Kaelynn Kamp; brother Terry Leiter; Uncle Dave (Jackie) Leiter; and caregiver, “Nurse Terri” Grycza.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Eddy and Chuck Leiter.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday July 17, 2026, at Oakwood Cemetery, 421 N. Maple Avenue, Warsaw.

Memorial contributions can be made to Animal Welfare League, 1048 S. 325 E., Pierceton, IN 46562.