Richard E Leake

Richard E. (Whitlow) Leake, 83, passed away on July 28, 2023, at home in Louisville, Kentucky. He was born on April 10, 1940, in Louisville, Kentucky. He is preceded in death by his parents, William P. Leake and Anna H. Leake of Speed, Indiana and is also preceded in death by sisters Curly and Ruth and Brother Joseph (Tony) Whitlow and by grandchildren Tiffany Marie Cox (37), Kimberley Ann Thomas (28) and James Andrew Cox (15).

Richard is survived by his wife Marilyn Joyce (Criswell) Leake of 56 years, daughters Jean Marie White, Linda Leake, Shelley Thomas, sons Paul (Eddie) Graham, James Daniel Cox (Lori), and Ronnie Gene Cox (Melissa). He is also survived by a brother JB Whitlow (Sherri), and a sister Barbara Jean Whitlow.

Richard is also survived by grandchildren, Kristopher Mann, Kelley M. Hatchell, Joshua Daniel Cox, Stephanie Davis, Amanda Acevedo (Luis), Shanna Cox, Richard Neal Cox, Avery James Cox, David Hayden Cox and step grandchildren; Donnie Bearden, Zachary Thomas-Woodcock (Christy), Bradley Thomas (Cheyanne), Matthew Thomas (Ketteley), and Jayson Thomas (Emily) and 17 great-grandchildren.

Richard served in the US Marine Corps and was a disabled veteran. He was a welder by trade and a cross-country truck driver for over 20 years. He enjoyed old cars and old music. He participated in community events with the Louisville Lead Rod and Custom Car Club for many years.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Richard Leake will be held at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Radcliff, Kentucky; date and time to be determined. Family and friends are invited to attend and pay their final respects.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the James Graham Brown Cancer Center or the Lymphoma Society in memory of Richard E. Leake.

Richard will be deeply missed but forever remembered in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/louisville-cremation for the Leake family.