Thomas "Tom" Patrick Leslie

Asheville- Thomas “Tom” Patrick Leslie, 72, of Asheville, died Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Mission Hospital.

A native of Asheville, Tom was a son of the late Rebecca Carter Leslie and Grover Lee Leslie, Jr.

Tom grew up with a passion for sports and a profound dedication to his community, a commitment that he carried throughout his life.

Along with his brothers and sisters during grade school, Tom attended Gibbons Hall/St. Genevieve’s. He graduated from TC Roberson High School in 1970. He was a 1974 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a BA in Journalism.

Tom was a three-letter athlete (football, track and field, and gymnastics) and was a standout football player during his years at Roberson. He played “both ways” on the field as both quarterback and linebacker, which led to a D-1 four-year football scholarship at the University of South Carolina where he played outside linebacker from 1971-74. During summers, he worked as a lifeguard at Myrtle Beach. He was a member of the USC Letterman’s Club. In his free time, he enjoyed his sail boat in Hilton Head Island as well as skiing and gardening.

Tom married the love of his life, Madelyn “Lyn” Leslie (nee Myers), with whom he shared over 46 happy years of marriage. Together, they founded and successfully ran Leslie and Associates, Inc., a property management company, for over four decades, a business that became a cornerstone of the Asheville community. Tom was responsible for a number of significant historic restorations, including The Manor Inn Apartments, the Green Life/Whole Foods building on Merrimon Avenue, the Tyler Building on North Lexington in downtown, and several others in downtown Asheville.

Tom was active in the community, serving on the boards of Pack Place and the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County. He and Lyn were loyal contributors to United Way, Pisgah Legal Services, ABCCM, and Brother Wolf. He was a member of the Land of the Sky Association of Realtors, the NC Association of Realtors, the Asheville Downtown Association, and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. He was also a vocal advocate for his granddaughters’ soccer teams. Tom’s legacy, as well as his big smile, will be remembered by all who knew him. He leaves behind a lasting impact on his family, friends, and community. His memory will be cherished, and his spirit will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Madelyn Myers Leslie; a son, David Patrick Leslie (Jessi) of Black Mountain; a daughter, Katherine Elizabeth Leslie of Asheville; two grandchildren, Charlotte Elizabeth and Eleanor Madelyn; three sisters, Linda Weeks of Hendersonville, Nancy White of Charlotte and Anne Cretella of Raleigh; two brothers, Mike Leslie of Hendersonville and Steve Leslie of Atlanta as well as several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road. His family will receive friends at the funeral home following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to MANNA, Brother Wolf, Habitat for Humanity, Pisgah Legal Services, or the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County.