James “Jimmy” Raquel Leyba

1985 – 2022
A letter to daddy from Isabella:
Dear Daddy,
This is Isabella.  I am three years old right now but soon I will have my birthday in October and I will be four years old.  I keep reminding you that, so you won’t forget.   I don’t understand why you left me and mama. This makes me feel very sad.  Mama took me to the Cathedral of the Madeleine, and I asked about angels.  I wanted to know about Great Papa and if he was an angel.  She said yes, and I said I wanted to be an angel too so that way I could fly all around in heaven.  Mama said, it would be nice to be an angel, but it was not my time yet.  I guess you are an angel now flying everywhere.  Mama says you loved me more than anything in the world.  I think you were the best daddy ever. Remember the time we made a spaceship out of a box, and I got to fly in outer space? You made sure I had a lunch box so that I could bring a bottle of water and an apple.  Whenever we were going somewhere and if I spotted a playground, you would always take me there the next day.  I loved going to all the different playgrounds.  For Christmas, Santa brought me horsey.  I loved riding it all over the neighborhood and you would just follow me.   Probably the best time I ever had was when I got to fly in an airplane for the very first time.  It sure took a long time to get there.  I was on my best behavior because you promised I could have a gummy star.  Every morning we would go swimming in the pool and every afternoon we would go to the beach.  I found so many seashells to take home.  One last thing Daddy.  Mama says everyone loves me and that you will always be with me, watching over me like an angel.   I love you very, very much Daddy!  I miss you.
Love, Izzy
P.S. “Don’t take any wooden nickels”.
James was a devoted father, son, brother, and coparent with Anahi Mejia.  Isabella, his daughter was his shining star and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her.  James was larger than life.  He was a kind, generous, thoughtful person who wrote the most eloquent letters that could make you laugh and cry all at the same time.  He touched everyone he met with his winning smile and charisma. James was deeply passionate involving the cryptocurrency space and his work took him worldwide.  In fact, James often referred to the crypto world as the “wild, wild west”.  James will be greatly missed by everyone. He will always reside in everyone’s hearts.   James often expressed that Richard was like a brother to him, that Mark’s mentorship was invaluable, Becca was the perfect business sounding board and his high school friendship with Ryan was rock solid throughout their shared life experiences.
James is survived by his parents Stephen and Naomi, his brother Matthew, and his wife Tuyen, his brother Joseph, and Isabella’s mother, Anahi Mejia.  And most importantly, the love of his life, Isabella (Izzy) his daughter, whom he loved with all his heart.
A private burial was held with the immediate family.  James did not want a somber funeral service but in true form, wanted to celebrate his life with a shot of whiskey and expressions of love.  A celebration of life will be held on September 10th, 2022, at Memorial House in Memory Grove.  In lieu of flowers, please give your loved ones an extra tight hug.  Life is precious.
For additional information and to RSVP please send an email to: jamescelebration2022@gmail.com.