In Loving Memory of John Lechago
On Wednesday, July 21, our martial arts family suffered an unimaginable loss. At just 57 years old, John Lechago passed away unexpectedly after being found unresponsive by his daughter, Lia. Despite the immediate efforts of his teammate Jeremy, who did everything he could until paramedics arrived, and the tireless attempts by first responders to resuscitate him, John could not be saved.
No family should have to endure such heartbreak, and no child should have to experience the trauma of finding a parent in this way. One of the most heartbreaking parts of this tragedy is that John's daughter, Lia—a young woman who looked up to her father as her hero—was the one who discovered him. It is a moment that will sadly stay with her forever.
John was much more than a member of Morillo Judo & Jiujitsu Academy. He was a lifelong martial artist whose journey began long before many of his teammates were even born. His dedication to the martial arts was evident every time he stepped onto the mat. He trained with humility, enthusiasm, and an unwavering desire to improve—not just himself, but everyone around him.
John was the kind of person who made others feel welcome. He was never afraid to ask the questions others were thinking, and he never hesitated to help someone who felt lost or discouraged. His charisma, kindness, and genuine passion for learning and helping others made him a role model to students of every age and rank. To us, John wasn't just a teammate—he was family.
Martial arts was truly a family affair for the Lechagos. His daughter, Lia, and his son, John, also trained alongside him. Watching them jokingly tease their dad during class often became the highlight of the evening, filling the dojo with laughter. His son had recently been preparing to return to the mats after taking a few months away, while Lia had remained committed to training, giving her all until the very last round of every class.
Just weeks before this tragedy, on June 27, John proudly earned his brown belt in Judo—a milestone that reflected years of perseverance, discipline, and hard work. It was a well-deserved achievement, and one that everyone at the academy celebrated with him.
Outside of martial arts, John was an incredibly gifted artist. He loved sharing his drawings and creative work, and his talent left an impression on everyone who saw it. That artistic spirit lives on through Lia, who shares her father's passion and finds joy in expressing herself through art. Their bond was built not only through martial arts but also through creativity, encouragement, and love.
Today, our focus is on supporting the family John loved so deeply.
We are asking for your help to ease the financial burden that accompanies such an unexpected loss. Every donation, no matter the amount, will go toward helping John's family with funeral expenses and the any unforeseen costs that arise during this incredibly difficult time. More importantly, we hope this fundraiser can provide them with a measure of financial peace of mind so they can focus on grieving, healing, and supporting one another.
If you are unable to donate, we ask that you please keep the Lechago family in your thoughts and prayers and consider sharing this fundraiser with others.
John's legacy will not be measured by the belts he earned or the years he trained, but by the countless lives he touched through his kindness, humility, wisdom, and generosity. His impact on our academy and everyone fortunate enough to know him will never be forgotten.
Rest easy, John.
You will always be a part of our family.
