Jacob Tran Janco

Jacob was born and raised in Irvine, California and was a resident of San Jose, California.

For high school, he attended Fairmont Preparatory Academy, graduating in 2005 with many honors and accolades.

Jacob then matriculated to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience.

From an early age, Jacob had wide-ranging and varied interests - from birds and fishing to art and music. Jacob was always a thoughtful and curious person, often getting into his dad’s toolbox and wreaking (minor) havoc by taking apart doorknobs in the house, with a drive to understand how things worked and how they could work better.

So it was no surprise that after a brief break from formal academics, during which Jacob used his talent in teaching to help many students achieve collegiate success, that he decided to literally “leap” into engineering.

In 2015, Jacob completed Boston University’s rigorous Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP), which allows individuals with non-engineering backgrounds to pursue advanced studies, earning a Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering.

Jacob subsequently joined Apple, Inc. where he embarked on a successful 10-year career as a computer engineer and technical lead. Jacob continued to develop his interests, including building computer components, and practicing the intense martial art of jiu-jitsu (thereby terrifying his mother and fiancée). He remained at the cutting edge of investment and entrepreneurial opportunities, and was a trusted source of investment advice for his friends and family. Jacob also continued to foster his connection with animals, even sponsoring a rescued potbellied pig named Lewis.

Above all, Jacob was a principled man. He touched so many lives, and those who knew him consistently describe him as a kind, caring, and brilliant young man who upheld integrity and honesty in all that he did.

Jacob is survived by his loving parents, Joseph and Khanh Janco; his sister, Jo Marie Janco, M.D. (married to Roger Yu, M.D.) and his three beloved nieces, Eliana, Celine, and Isabelle, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Jacob also leaves behind the love of his life, fiancée Cheyenne Kellis, whom he met in 2020. Jacob and Cheyenne were planning marriage, a family, and a house (complete with a resident bulldog) close to family and friends in Southern California.

Jacob was also blessed with many close friends who were like brothers to him.

We will all miss Jacob dearly.

Link to Apple Kudoboard for Jacob: https://kudoboard.com/boards/CpkOaKpM