Forum: Oklahomatidbits.com General Forum (go)
Moderators:  /  David Smith Jr

Alice, Jeff and Lloyd.

I really wanted to say a few words about Harold tonight but did't know if it would be appropriate? I always looked up to Harold and lived my life in the shadows trying to be Sr. I have never told the boys but I always like both of you. We grew up playing cupball by the monorail together running around raising hell. Harold always in the pits and Alice yelling @ us. What it amounts to is we are all family in the racing community weather we agree or not thats how it is. I will miss Harold and the Great man he ALWAYS was and will be to me.

If there is anything me or my family can do to help please call!!!!

Sincerly, Larry

That was cool Larry.

Same thing here guys. I think all of you are awesome people. Harold was always so nice to me, and he even lettered my first car (pictured below). If you guys ever need anything just come down and get it. I thought it was really cool that Jeff raced Friday as I can't imagine how hard it was, but I think that Harold would have wanted him too. I hope you guys can find something to brighten your day, because that is what Harold would always do for me.

Amen Larry,

I also wanted to get up and speak, but I was to chocked up with emotion. Did anyone notice the Hawk perched atop the lookout tower in turn four.

He kept spreading his wings without taking flight. I truly felt in my heart that was Harold telling us goodbye.

Godspeed Harold we Love you and will never forget.

People wonder why I am such a fan of dirt track racing here in Okla. My relatives, friends, co-workers don't get it. Show me a group of people who are as competitive at their sport/hobby as you folks are and yet can pull together at times like these make me very proud of my favorite sport. Thanks to all of you for making SFS and the other tracks around this state special places. Even though I am not able to get to the track as much as I 'd like, I appreciate what all of ya'll do every time I'm at the track. Jeff Leep, I don't know you but the talking you did in front of every body tonite was brilliant. To talk from your heart and tell everybody in attendance stuff you & your Dad did was pretty special. To be able to talk about the loss of a parent in front of a lot of people took strength. Not a lot of people could do that. I couldnt do it when I lost my Dad.. Any ways, I will see all of you around the track when I can. Thanks, Mitch Melton

We noticed that hawk & I thought the same ... He kept fighting that south wind but stayed up there

a long time. I was looking away when it finally took off from the tower.

That was Harold's oldest Lloyd that spoke last night. The stories both of those boys could tell about what a great man their father is. Jeff wanted to but just couldn't.

Larry as a personal note. Thank you for calling Alice on Friday night. Even though she missed your call it meant so so so much to her. When I got over there after the races, that was the first thing she told me that you had called. I will give you a big hug next time I see ya.

Annette

I to wanted to get up and speak, but could not do it without breaking down in tears. I will tell a few stories now.

As most of you know Harold would go once a week to Dallas to pick up parts for Smileys. When he would get back to OKC it was like clockwork that he would go to the bathroom. So one time Terry and Jeff drained all the water out of the toilet and turned the water off. Harold rushes in the bathroom and after a while all you can hear is the clanking of the toilet knob trying to flush. Harold walks out of the bathroom and says I need a bucket and some water, I've got a mess to clean up.

Another time they took the toilet lid off so he couldn't go to the bathroom upon return from Dallas. As usual Harold took it in stride and laughed with everyone.

Now a story about one of the ways Harold was so special.

When he got sick he could not continue to go to Dallas so Mike Whitworth would go on occasion. Mike stops at a gas station in Texas to get gas walks in and the person behind the counter says "Where's Harold". Apparantly Harold had made this gas station his stopping spot several times and had built a relationship with the people that worked there to the point that they knew what he drove, they knew his name, and they cared or liked him enough to ask about him. Where most of us would pay for our gas, get a drink and go on about our business Harold would make friends.

Mitch I agree with you 100%.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen 

I think we could of been there all nite tellin stories about Harold. People should feel more comfortable honoing Harold in this way but most people wont. I too Had a story about Harold but felt as thou this time was reserved for the closest of Harold Family and Friends..................... Back in 2001 I was racing a $5000 to win Factory Stock race in Enid, I qualified for the front row of the B so I went home and waited for the last day. At about noon I recieved this phone call from Harold wanting to know if I was racin and if so could he catch a ride. I said sure come on out at around 4:30 and we would go, Harold then remarked "ah J D I think this race starts at 2:00", I disagreed and said I would call the track and find out for sure. I called Harold back and said "Man high tail it out here your right" and we arrived when the C was racing. Harold stood in turn 2 for the B and also the A coaching me on with that "thumbs up" that he was known for calming me down when I got a litlle reckless. We finsihed 4th that nite and recieved my biggest payday ever at $1400. If it wasnt for my dear friend Harold I would of never made the show much less his help all through the evening coached me on to a memory I'll never forget..................... God Speed Harold

I will truely miss you!

"Racing is an Addiction cured by Poverty"         
BOBCAT

I too would have loved to speak last night, but there is absolutely no way I could have. I have known Harold and his family since I was born. He has always given me anything he had if he thought I needed it. Back in the old six cylinder days, he gave me a Dugan head that back in those days was probably around a thousand dollars. He would drive all the way across town to letter something small on my car. Usually for no charge but if there was it was very little and definetely not enough for his time. The last 3 years I had my car, we shared a shop together that we kept the cars in. I will always cherish those times, because 1-that is where Jeff and I became good friends and 2- I can't tell you how many times we never got anything done because we were just BS ing. Harold could always make you feel better after a bad night at the track(lord knows I had plenty) by just the way he would say"Oh well" and throw his hands up in the air. I was honored a few weeks ago when Harold asked me to drive his car. Unfortunately it didn't work out where we could, but it was still an honor I will always have. I will always miss my friend, but he will NEVER be gone. David

I too seen the hawk & was thinking the same thing uncle a, it was his way of saying goodbye!

Harold lettered my cars for years & always told me to put a sticky note where I wanted everything. I always tried to be here while he was lettering but couldn't. Hell some days I'd take off work to make sure I was here just for the confersation & general BS ing was worth a day off work!!

My wife was pretty shook up about not being here this spring when he was here. She always offered him something to drink or asked if he needed anything & of course Harold always said "no I'm Fine". She told me last night that if I decided to race next year that I couldn't repaint the car because "only Harold letters that car"! She doesn't always go to the races but it shows how much Harold meant to her & touched her life! I'm still having a hard time with this.

Miss you Harold 'ol buddy! RIP

Flash
New website!!!!!!!!!

www.flashracecarbodies.com

I sit back and read these posts and think about how Harold Leep Junior impacted the racing community in Oklahoma City.

His father was one ot the greats ever, anywhere. We all knew that his son just didn't have the talent and skills on the racetrack that he had. But Harold Lloyd Leep had something else, the ability to turn strangers into friends, the ability to make you smile no matter how bad your day may have been, the ability to make all of us feel like part of a "racing community".

He's gonna be missed.

I wish I could have attended his memorial service.

God speed Harold.

This racing game can be a lot of fun, can be a challenge, can be hard work, long hours and at times down right brutal. You can go from the penthouse to the outhouse and the latter really stinks! You just have to take this sport for what it is - speed, drama, excitement and something that gets in the blood of all of us who hang around it. We all get hooked and we meet lots of people - some you gel with and others may be more like sandpaper rubbing together. But we all have something in common. I looked around the grandstand at all of the people who came to honor Harold Leep, Jr. and show just how much respect he had gained from the past, present, and future drivers, mechanics, crewmen, owners, family and fans. Everyone could see the honor and respect from all who attended. I will miss Harold Leep Jr. for his desire to compete, lettering race cars and his quick wit and handshake and "Hey Buddy, How are you" each time I saw him. That type of person is rare. My wife, Jannie watched the hawk along with hundreds of others and she thought it was also paying its respect along with all of us. It was amazing to see that hawk await the chance to soar with Harold above the track and to look over the people and sport that he loved. We have to all be just a little crazy to do this deal called racing and the night was perfect although many of us couldn't get the nerve to stand up and say the words there. If we had, there would have been more tears than were shed. Reading everyone's posts have been great. The car on the front straighaway was very nice and the display of his suit and helmets as Harold reached the finish line in a place that meant so much to him was just downright good stuff! When I got down to the front and saw the TV tray with all those paint marks on it and that phone book laying on it, now that was tough but it was something I will always remember and feel honored to say I've known and called Harold Leep, Jr. a friend. From the times he came to Flat Armadillo Road to letter our car to the first time we transitioned to vinyl when my wife and I went to his shop and he was so patient to go through hundreds of fonts and let me wife decide on a "7" from one font and the perfect "1" from a different font, he was the most patient man and so funny -- an amazing hero in his own way to all of us. Good speed, Harold - soar faster than any of us as even nature pays its respect to you - you were one of a kind! JD & Jannie

Man you guys, this is tough. I wasn't going to post anything on this thread. Just leave it to all of you who did know him and know him well. As I stated before, I never knew him to gradually have a conversation but enough for him to say "Hello David." with a smile to make you enjoy being a race fan and brighten your day. The only conversation that I had with him last year when the black couple on the North end was celebrating their 50th wedding Anniversary at the racetrack. Harold went up and talked to them and when he came by, asked him if they had been at the track and race fans for a long time. He smiled and stated since as far back as the 70's and they would travel every Saturday night to where all the guys were racing. He then put his hand on my shoulder, smiled and said, "You ought to go talk too them, they are great people and you will enjoy it."

I now only wish I would have tried to take the time to talk too Harold, Jr. himself.

Please keep this thread going with your thoughts and post what most of you just couldn't do in person. Remember, we all understand and feel the same as you do.

As for you, Larry, you have now touched me twice and choked me up. First on Bickel and now this one.

God Speed Mr. Leep.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

Ok, I wasn't gonna say anything out of just thinking I didn't know Harold well enough. I first met him about 15 or so years ago. As I think back on that moment, I can remember saying to myself that there was something different about him. I talked to him several times but never at any length until a couple of weeks ago when we got to the track. he was sitting in the trailer and, as always, he said hi to me with a big smile on his face. I regret not talking with him more just like that evening. Anyway, he seemed to be one ginuine loving and caring human being. Not many people like him in this world. I never heard him complain any time i was around him. He will be missed by alot of folks. Including me.

One hell of a good guy.

Just wanted to let all you guys know how touched we were that you came out to Harold's Service. Most of you know me as Kim in the Pit window every Friday night, but I am also Harold's sister in law, (my husband Roger is Alice's brother.) We in the family all know what a great guy Harold was and will miss him very much at our family functions, but to see all the people who came to pay tribute to him at the race track was a great honor. I am proud to call him my brother in law and friend. He was the one who always kept our chins up and would make us laugh just by being Harold. I know Alice has lost her best friend and the family will continue with his memory. To see the people from past and present there helps each of us know that Harold was VERY SPECIAL. I just wanted to say thank you again for being there and would like to thank TOM SANDERS and ROSS MOORE for helping me and our family in this time of need. CONNIE ROOT you were GREAT (enough said you know what I mean). LANNY and BEVERLY were there also, THANKS.

ONCE AGAIN, thanks from the Leesekamp, Leep, Penland and Self Families.

Cheer on Jeff Friday. (His Angel rides with him now.)

Sincerely, Kim Leesekamp

To the entire Leep family,

I am truly sorry I didn't get to attend the services. I was in San Antonio when I heard. The loss is great. Harold was a wonderful man and will truly be missed. He had a great sense of humor and was always helpful with the racing community. My heart truly goes out to each and every one of you.

Leta Patterson Marquez

Leta Patterson Marquez
San Antonio, Texas