Tribute

Joe LeClaire passed in May 2025 after living with Parkinson's disease and chronic pain for some time. These things did not define him or the life he lived. Born and raised in San Diego, California, with a grade school detour to Hawaii for a few years (as his father was in the Navy), Joe grew up the middle brother of three. Identified early as academically gifted, he graduated from Madison High School class of 1976, and attended the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), graduating with a major in Chemistry and a specialization in Earth Science in 1980. After a year working for Scripps with the Deep Sea Drilling project, he attended the University of California at Riverside (UCR) and attained his PhD in Soil Science in 1985. He had a long career working in Environmental Science and Water Resources, two topics about which he was passionate. Joe was active his entire life, and loved trail running and cycling. He rode the California AIDS ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, and Ride the Rockies, week-long rides through many mountain passes in Colorado, twice. He enjoyed hiking, camping, body surfing, and frisbee golf. He completed the Sierra Club/REI Wilderness Travel Course twice! He stayed active through his illness, continuing to go to the gym and walking whenever possible. He was also a lifetime fan of the San Diego Padres and Chargers, and of course, the Tour de France. Joe met his wife, Kathy, at the Great Western Bike Rally in Paso Robles, CA, in 1998. Married in 2001, they have two amazing children, Sophia and Trevor, with whom they shared their love of the ocean and the outdoors. Anyone who knew him knows that Joe relished being a dad! His many friends and family will miss his great compassion, friendship, intellect, curiosity, and sense of humor.

Friends & Family

Joe will be remembered with love by his wife, Kathy Norton, daughter Sophia, and son Trevor, who will forever cherish the countless memories and adventures they shared with their dad. He was preceded in death by his parents, Markham and Mitsue LeClaire, and his older brother, Michael. He is survived by his younger brother Leo, sister in-law Cindy and niece Alisha, and Kathy's extended family, siblings, nieces, and nephews and who loved him very much.