Jakob Charles Van Leuven, 6, died at home February 20, 2007 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He is the much-beloved son of Jeffrey Van Leuven of Roanoke, and Christine and John Moncure of Lexington.

He will be sadly missed by his sister, Grace Bailey, aged 11.

Also survived are his grandparents, Robert and Candy Pickett of Buena Vista; grandparents, Lance and Linda Eagle of Coventry, Rhode Island; uncle and godfather Richard Langille of Arlington, Va; aunt and godmother Amy Newhall of Rockbridge Baths; great grandparents Charles and the late Grace Langille of Massachusetts; great grandmother Ida DeRagon of Connecticut; aunts: Donna DeRagon and Judy LaRose of Connecticut; aunt and uncle David and Lisa Moncure of Richmond; uncle Paul Moncure of Michigan. He also leaves behind many loved ones in Rhode Island, including Gramma Sue Romanoff, Aunt cindy, and dear friends Josh and Lindsey Blasbaig.

Born August 25, 2000 in Rhode Island, he moved with his family to Virginia in 2003.

Jacob's best times were spent battle bad guys on his Playstation and playing with his best friend Smith Hinty, when he was not attending the first grade at Central Elementary School. He also enjoyed tormenting his older sister Grace and chasing the girls around the playground. When he was not learning at school, his aunt/godmothers, Amy Newhall, and uncle Tom Newhall, of Rockbridge Baths, taught him all things organic and farm-related.

Jakob honed his battlefield skills with his uncle and godfather, Richard Langille of Arlington and his friends, Peter Adams, Jason Herron and "best buddy" Mitchell Moncure. Jakob also had the opportunity to be the costume director for a band he formed, "Speed Rock", with his friends Pete and Arum, sister Grace, and stepfather John.

When not in action, Jakob spent many hours in the kitchen perfecting his own personal recipe for chocolate milk and the "perfect steak". His great love of food was inherited from his grandmother Candy, a former restaurant owner, and also his grandmother Linda, a well-known "foodie". Jakob also enjoyed all things SpongeBob and spent many an afternoon watching cartoons with his own personal "Mrs. Robinson", Leah Stands, who was also his next door neighbor. How convenient.

Jakob's skills will be sadly missed in his Papa's workshop, but his spirit will live on in the toys that his grandfather continues to make in his name.

Jakob's time here was short, but he had touched so many people with his courageous battle, including his family in California, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia and China; and friends in Chicago, New York, Florida and Maine.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at the Hampton Inn, Lexington, between 3-5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to SunTrust Bank in the name of Jakob Van Leuven.

Arrangements are being handled by the Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, Virginia.