Dec 2, 2004 - Aug 20, 2023

Jacob Mikhail Previch was born December 2, 2004, at Anaheim Memorial Hospital. He entered this world three weeks early after a lengthy labor and emergency cesarean section. At 6 months of age his family moved back to Claremont, where his parents Julia (Turko) and Kevin grew up.

As a young child, Jacob enjoyed digging, playing with Tonka trucks and Hot Wheels, and building Lego creations. At 3, he was so excited to become a big brother to Andrew. They had an instant special bond, sharing a room for 10 years, laughing with each other and of course, bugging each other, as only brothers do. He attended Claremont Baptist Nursery school, Chaparral Elementary, El Roble Intermediate School and was a 2023 graduate of Claremont High.

He and his family regularly attended Village Venture when he was a child, where he won the pumpkin carving contest multiple times. Throughout his childhood, he and his family attended Granite Creek Community Church and Hillside Community Church.

Sports played a significant role in his life. He started playing T-ball with Claremont Little League at the age of 6, and continued through juniors division, never missing a season, and even working in the snack shack at College Park. He was a member of the storied major league Giants, who won the major division championship in 2016. He was an all-star from 2014 to 2019 and was known for his speed and stealthy base stealing, including tricky steals of home. His name will forever be posted on Griffith Park’s fence as part of the 2018 California Junior All-Star District 20 championship team.

At Chaparral Elementary he enjoyed playing flag football and competed at the annual Vista del Valle track meet, winning first place in the 60-yard dash in 2016. He also played flag football at El Roble Intermediate and was on the first place league team in 2018. He played for Claremont Youth Basketball, making the all-star team his eighth grade year. He went on to play baseball for Claremont High School, earning defensive player of the year in 2021 and stolen base leader and all league all academic first team in 2022.

“Jacob had an entrepreneur spirit and, even as a young child, he told his parents he wanted to be a millionaire,” his family shared. He established multiple online businesses at an early age, selling sports cards and memorabilia as well as reselling shoes, hats, and clothing. He loved to travel to Los Angeles to shop at Supreme and then resell at Round Two. His interest in clothing led him to a very early aspiration to start his own apparel company. He already had clothing designs and a company name, “Nothing More, Nothing Less.”

“Jacob’s sense of style and adventure was unique and fearless, and he often surprised his parents with his impatience and determination with purchases and experiences,” his family said. For his 13th birthday, he did not want a party but rather wanted to spend the day shopping in LA and on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. During a November 2021 family vacation to Maui, he spent a great deal of his own money on a silver necklace and convinced his aunt to take him to have his ears pierced. “On that same trip, Jacob courageously dove off Black Rock and learned to scuba dive,” his family added.

His friends will remember his love of rap music and how he enjoyed hanging out at the park, attending music festivals, and baseball tournaments in Las Vegas with the Claremont High School baseball team and their families. “Throughout Jacob’s life, many of his friends remained steadfast and loyal to him, even when it was difficult at times,” his family said. “This commitment of friendship was a comfort to Jacob when he faced struggles and will be forever remembered by Jacob’s family.

“Jacob had a strong will and a spirited temperament which served him well in school, sports and in his eventual job. Even as a young child, he valued being on time and needed to have a full understanding of what was to be expected. Jacob’s personality was also unrelenting when he felt passionate about something. His persistence would, at times, give rise to intense discussions at home but also provided new opportunities for growth and change from all involved.” In 2020 he was honored with the City of Claremont’s Making Change Award, where he presented his essay in uniform immediately following a CHS baseball game.

He loved to attend baseball games with his family, primarily the Angels. He traveled to Colorado, San Francisco, and San Diego on family trips to catch various Major League Baseball contests. He preferred to arrive early to watch warmups and catch batting practice balls. Over the course of attending many games, he and his brother had the chance to get autographs from the Angels’ Mike Trout and Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers.

He started working at Trader Joe’s in Claremont in May 2021. “He loved working and making his own money,” his family said. “Customers were happy to see his beautiful smile and engage in friendly conversation with him as he bagged their groceries. Jacob felt valued and appreciated at Trader Joe’s. He had recently been promoted to cashier.  Jacob declared to his coworkers that he wanted to become the youngest ‘mate’ ever, in the fastest time ever.

“Jacob’s strength and perseverance were illuminated brightest early Monday morning, August 14, when he made the honest and brave decision to actively seek treatment for drug addiction.  Jacob’s parents and family will never forget the selflessness of this decision, as they all understood the fear and pain that accompanied it.”

During the course of his treatment, he suffered a medical complication known as superior mesenteric artery syndrome, which led to a series of cardiac arrests.

“On August 20, at the age of 18, Jacob was cured of his addiction, free of pain, as he took his last breath on this earth surrounded by the three people, his beloved brother and adoring parents, that loved him most, waking up in the arms of his Heavenly Father, who loves him even more,” his family shared. “He joins his Grandfather Michael Turko, aka ‘Grandpa Turk,’ who went to Heaven before him.”

He leaves behind his parents Kevin and Julia Previch; brother Andrew Previch; grandma MaryBeth “Bes” Turko; “papa” Ernie and grandma Cherie Previch; aunts Kristiana Turko, Jill Elias, Debbie Previch, and Jodi Previch; uncles Ken Previch, Dan Previch, and David Elias; cousins Luke Turko, Brandon and Nicole Elias, Austin Previch, Amanda Delfs (Cobie Delfs), Kyle and Ryan Previch, and Alice and Camryn Previch.

A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. September 28 at Granite Creek Community Church, 1580 N. Claremont Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711, with a reception to follow. The service will also be livestreamed at granitecreek.org.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Jacob Previch to Partnership to End Addiction at drugfree.org.