James M. Leppo's Obituary
James Michael Leppo passed away on June 9, 2025, at the age of 36. Born in Osaka, Japan, James spent much of his childhood in Japan and Taiwan before moving to the United States, where he later attended the University of Washington and made his home in the Seattle area.
James was a kind and deeply generous person, known for his integrity, curiosity, and quiet strength. He had a keen intellect studying coding, quantum computing and physics —drawn to the field by a fascination with the possibilities of emerging technologies. Equally important to James was his strong sense of justice, and he cared deeply about civil rights and political movements that sought to uplift marginalized communities.
Beyond his academic and intellectual pursuits, James found joy and meaning in hiking, reading, philosophy, science fiction, and a good comedy stand-up set. In his younger years, he volunteered regularly at his church, giving his time with the same quiet devotion that marked every part of his life.
James is survived by his sister, Christina M. Leppo, her husband, and his niece, Shea Leppo. He was predeceased by his beloved grandfather and namesake, James E. Leppo, his grandmother Margaret H. Leppo Larkin, and his mother, Kim E. Leppo.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 28 in Washington, D.C. The gathering will be private for close family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in James’s memory to either of the following organizations:
• Pierce County Alliance
510 Tacoma Ave. S.
Tacoma, WA 98402
Please make checks payable to “Pierce County Alliance” and note “Donation/James Leppo.”
• Rehabilitation Systems, Inc.
7375 Executive Place, Suite 301
Lanham, MD 20706
Please make checks payable to “Rehabilitation Systems, Inc.” and note “Donation/James Leppo.”
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