Thomas L Leisher

Tom Leisher was born and raised in Chambersburg, PA, the 3rd son of Lester and Gladys Leisher. His parents and two brothers predeceased him. He died on September 27, 2024 and is survived by his wife Myriam of 65 years and two daughters, Diann and Christine, along with two grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.

Tom retired after 22 years of service in the U.S. Navy as a Master Chief Personnelman. He was a survivor of the fire on the USS FORRESTAL and also served a year in Vietnam. While service his country, he earned the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, the Navy Achievement Medal and many others. Tom joined the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) and in 15 years became the National President. Tom was approached by the President, Navy Memorial Foundation, Washington, D.C. to help place a Homecoming Statue in Norfolk. He and C. Lloyd Johnson raised funds and the statue was dedicated in Town Point Park in October 2000. He was designated a “Trustee” of the Navy Memorial Foundation because of the work placing this statue in Norfolk. Two years later he coordinated between the Navy Memorial Foundation and the City of Norfolk to place the Lone Sailor Statue along with its memorials in Wisconsin Square. Tom presented the idea of a Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Veterans Affairs. He did the research and worked with the City Clerk to have a city ordinance written and passed. Tom served as its chairman of the commission for two years. He set the standard for future Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies in Norfolk. Tom researched, designed, solicited the money, supervised the installation and named the “Trail of Honor” in Wisconsin Square to educate the public about the recipients of the Medal of Honor connected to the city of Norfolk.

The family invites you to celebrate Tom's life on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 2 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please consider a donation to remember fallen service members at HonorandRemember.org. Please visit his webpage at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com to leave a note of condolence to the family.