On Sunday, November 21, 2021, Jason Hiroyuki Takaki, passed away in the early hours of the morning.

Jason was born on December 1, 1968 in Pueblo, Colorado to Melvin and Josephine Takaki. He graduated from South High School in 1987 and went on to Northwestern University to study English Literature. After graduating Northwestern, he earned his J.D. from the University of Denver College of Law. Jason went on to explore many different paths throughout his career: Managing Partner of his own law firm in Denver, Legislative Assistant for a U.S. Senator, Healthcare Manager, and Founder and President of Teppei, an international trading company that developed Karami, a Japanese Salsa.

One of Jason's greatest passions during his lifetime was his art. He was an incredible illustrator and sculptor. His drawings were beautiful, and his sculptures were remarkable for their detail and intricacy. Each one was constructed out of hundreds of collected pieces of wire. From wire hangers to fine bonsai wire and anything in between, he would collect and curate the perfect combination for each of his projects, spending months molding each one together, and seemingly out of nothing, complex, three-dimensional animals and characters would emerge. He kept many, but mostly gifted his sculptures to friends and family.

Jason's greatest love was for his family. He lived his life with a profound love for his two sons, Harry and Taisei, and his late canine best friends, Lucky and Snoopy. He remained close with friends from each chapter of his life. He was loved by his siblings, and was a wonderful uncle to their children.  He enjoyed fishing, reading, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his two sons, Harry and Taisei, his parents, Melvin and Josephine, his siblings, Todd, Stephanie, and Jennifer, and his nieces and nephews, Sophi, Sachi, Tony, and Leina.