James Leitch

James "Jim" Hamerton Leitch (age 63) passed away on March 9, 2025 at his home in Jacksonville, FL after a year-long battle with glioblastoma.

A fifth generation San Franciscan, Jim was born on July 30, 1961 to parents Juliann Mary Lanigan Leitch and Donald Earle Leitch in San Francisco, California. His childhood was split between the east and west coast, frequently traveling around the country and visiting historical sites with his parents and sister, Denise Ellen (Leitch) Jackson. As a boy, Jim often spent summers at his family's summer home in Lagunitas. He attended Benedictine Military High School in Savannah, GA where he played soccer and shared his father's love of sailing.

After graduating from high school, Jim enrolled at Oxford College at Emory where he cultivated his love of live music and forged many friendships that lasted a lifetime. It was on the Oxford campus where Jim met his future wife, Dorothy Leatrice (Brown) Leitch. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1984.

Jim and Dorothy were married on March 5, 1988 at Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church in Savannah, GA. Shortly afterwards, they moved to Jacksonville, FL and began their dream of starting a family. They had three children: Carlisle Hamerton Leitch (1990), Emily Leatrice Leitch (1996), and Sarah Jeanne Leitch (2000). Jim enthusiastically embraced his role as a dad. He was known for coaching/refereeing sports teams, carpooling countless neighbor kids, and devotedly attending all every choral concert, play, lacrosse game, and poetry reading. Jim shared his love of music and soccer with his family. He and Dorothy frequently enjoyed live music together at many local venues. He became a dedicated fan of local Jacksonville sports teams, often bringing his children along to cheer in the stands.

The word "stranger" was never in Jim's vocabulary. He had the ability to make the mundane seem hilarious, to make anyone he encountered feel like a lifelong friend. His unwavering positivity and true selflessness will never be replicated. He will be sincerely missed by all that had to pleasure to know him.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Juliann and Donald, his beloved aunt Dorothy LoSchiavo, and father-in-law George Henry Brown III. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, his three children Carlisle, Emily, and Sarah, his daughter-in-law Sarah Elisabeth (Fisher) Leitch, his sister Denise, as well as his nephews, niece and countless other cherished family members and friends.

Jim's celebration of life will be held on Friday April 4 from 1pm-4pm at Flying Fish Taphouse in Jacksonville, FL. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation (https://floridawildlifecorridor.org/donate-2/) or the Jacksonville Children's Chorus (https://jacksonvillechorus.dppro.net/give).