Jagjit "Jj" Singh

The Honorable Judge Jagjit "JJ" Singh, 84, of Ashburn, VA, passed away on April 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on July 13, 1940, in Montgomery, India, JJ was the beloved son of the late S. Jagtar Singh and Harbans Kaur. He was the second eldest of seven siblings. While his brothers and sisters pursued higher education after high school, JJ took a different path-choosing to work instead of enrolling in college. But when his eldest brother earned recognition as a Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army, JJ felt a spark of ambition ignite within him. Determined to make a name for himself as well, he continued working while putting himself through college and, eventually, law school at Punjab University in Chandigarh, India, where he earned his Bachelor of Law degree.
In 1965, JJ left India to build a better life. He secured an employment visa to England, where he found a position at a legal firm. After five years, he emigrated to the United States. Not long after arriving, fate intervened when he crossed paths with Lily Singh, a young teacher who had also recently emigrated from India. For JJ, it was love at first sight. After a year of courtship, they married in December 1971, beginning a lifelong love story.
JJ was relentless in his pursuit of becoming an attorney in the U.S. To support himself and his dreams, he worked at 7-Eleven and Sears and drove a taxi on weekends. His perseverance paid off when he earned his law degree from The George Washington University Law School in May of 1975. He was admitted to the Washington D.C. Court of Appeals Bar in 1985. His distinguished legal career spanned more than 30 years, beginning as a trial attorney and administrative law judge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and continuing with the Social Security Administration. As one of the first Sikh judges in his community, JJ broke barriers and served as a source of inspiration-especially to his daughters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren-encouraging them to dream without limits.
JJ's greatest legacy is the family he built with Lily, including their two daughters, Sasha and Poonam, and the extended family that followed. He sponsored each of his younger brothers to come to the United States, offering steadfast support as they built new lives. With love, integrity, and unwavering dedication, he guided them through their journeys, helping them stand on their own and thrive. In doing so, he not only fulfilled his own vision of the "American Dream," but helped make it a reality for those he loved.
JJ will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and a smile that could light up any room. A selfless and devoted husband and father, he dedicated his life to providing for his family and ensuring they had no barriers to opportunities in life. As a proud "girl dad," he was endlessly supportive of his daughters and cherished every moment with them.
He is survived by his beloved wife and devoted caregiver of 53 years, Amar Geeti "Lily" Singh; his daughters Sasha (Nishu) Parikh and Poonam (Vivek) Ramgopal; and his most precious treasures, his grandchildren Maya Lily, Ajay Singh, Dhilan Jay, and Sarina Lily. He is also survived by his brothers Haripritam (Jaswant) Singh and Gurdarshan (Dolly) Achreja; his sister Amarjit Kaur (Amarjit) Raheja; sisters-in-law Raman Achreja and Jasbir Kaur, and many nieces and nephews who will miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his brothers Lieutenant Colonel Gurkirpal Singh and Amritpal "Jolly" Achreja.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, in honor of JJ's courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He was a true fighter who faced every challenge with unwavering strength and quiet determination.