Thank you all for the love and support. I would like to share the speech I wrote for those who did not get to make it but was there with us in spirit:
First off, I would like to thank everyone for coming today and the love and support everyone
has shown the family in this devastating time.
I don't think there is enough time or words to express Jesse's impact in the world.
Growing up, I was told that I did not say much until I was 3, and when I did, it was baby
mumbling so Jesse "spoke for me". I was told it was "she wants a Happy Meal from
McDonald's". My parents caught on quickly that, that was not what I was saying. But from
day one he was in my corner.
I don't remember much of it but there is video of all of us at the coast ...when Jesse was
about 10... I'm trying to run straight into the water and Jesse kept on pulling me back to
safety. Just always protected me. When Jesse was 5, I got a third brother in Brooks.
Between Jesse, Chad, and Brooks...I always felt protected. As siblings do, we loved each
other, but also, there might have been some bickering. The Simpsons were huge back in the
day, so Mom deemed us “Itchy & Scratchy.”
One of the many things that made my brother amazing, was how awesome he was to all my
friends. He was never mean to them, never made them feel unwanted...he was really good
that way, as we all know, younger siblings can be annoying.
As he got older, it was clear that he was pretty handsome...as I was told by many women
here today. Jesse worked as a bagman at the Alaska Airlines drop off and there was a
wealthy older women who flew frequently and would tip Jesse like $100 plus to get her bags
on the cart. It was that smile. We all know that smile.
Jesse was loving and good-natured, so it wasn't a big surprise when he stepped up and was
a father figure for Haley. It also wasn't a big surprise how absolutely excited he was to
become an Uncle. Jesse and I waited for the green light to come see Camryn and Haiden in
the hospital when they were born. We got to go into the viewing room together and I
remembered him being so happy. Later, our nephews Owen and Levi were born and Jesse
again was so excited to be an Uncle. He got out all his old toys and gave them to the boys.
Another amazing thing was how much Jesse loved the animals. He was the best “dog-Dad”
and “dog-Uncle.”Marley, Jack, Tuff, Cash, Nora, Ollie, Momma, and all the rest. He loved all
of them.
Jesse was a son, a friend, an uncle, a nephew, a father figure, a partner, a tree farmer, a
jokster, a Duck, a neighbor...but most importantly...a brother and a good man.