James Stearns Gable

James Stearns Gable

June 28, 1959 - July 14, 2025

James Stearns Gable of Upperville, VA, a visionary in consumer technology and cybersecurity, passed away peacefully at his home on July 14, 2025. He was 66.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lisa, and daughter, Helen-Anne, who were his constant source of strength and joy. He is also survived by his brother, John Gable; sister, Beth Hicks; sister-in-law, Gingy; and nephew, Bo Gable. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert E. and Emily Gable.

A respected technology executive and innovator, Jim's career spanned over three decades in Silicon Valley and Northern Virginia, including leadership roles at Comcast, Anametric, Hillcrest Labs, and Apple, where he helped lead the launch of the original Power Macintosh. This foundational product helped usher in a new era of personal computing.

Jim was at the forefront of innovation, always focused on the user.

At Apple, where he became the Vice President of Software Product Marketing, he helped shape defining products including the Apple Laser Writer, Mac OS 8, and the Power Macintosh. He co-founded Kerbango Radio, which won Best of Show at the 2001 Consumer Electronics Show and was featured in USA Today, Newsweek, and Rolling Stone before being acquired by 3Com. Jim supported Amazon's original Kindle team and helped develop the first pointer remote for TVs at Hillcrest Labs. Jim served as Executive Director of the Compass group at Comcast Corporation, where he led the development of entertainment data and discovery systems for platforms like Xfinity X1.

Most recently, Jim was Co-Founder and President Emeritus of Anametric, a company dedicated to advancing quantum photonics for cybersecurity.

Jim is the only person to receive the "DEMO god" award twice at the Demo Conference in the 1990s. His work earned a 2015 Technology and Engineering Emmy Award and widespread recognition across the industry.

Outside of technology, Jim was a trustee for Belle Grove Plantation in the Shenandoah Valley and a Trinity Episcopal Church Altar Guild member in Upperville. He believed in stewardship of history, faith, and innovation.

He earned his bachelor's degree in History, a master's in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Jim will be remembered for his brilliant mind, wry humor, and deep devotion to his family.

As his family fondly imagines: In heaven, every day is a wallabee-free day-and the Mountain Dews are cold.

His life will be celebrated at St. Albans Episcopal Church, 3001 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC.

In place of flowers, consider giving a gift to support Dr. Jona Mata's work in improving the quality of life for cancer patients. Checks may be made payable to Johns Hopkins Medicine (note Dr. Jona Mata in the memo) and mailed to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Attn: Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 E. Pratt St., Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202.