Jesse Henry Sims was born in St. George, Utah, on November 22, 1988 to Dennis and Rebecca Sims Rogers. He was a remarkable man whose life was far too short, but whose impact on those around him will never be measured by the number of years he was given.

Jesse had an extraordinary love for his family, his history, and his heritage. He took great pride in our pioneer ancestors who made the journey that ultimately brought his family to Utah. He respected their courage, determination, hard work, and resourcefulness, and he carried a deep connection to the lives and sacrifices of those who came before him. His family history was not simply something he knew—it was something he felt a part of. Jesse’s favorite holiday was Utah’s Pioneer Day held on the 24th day of July each year. He would host a backyard party for his friends and family. There would be bountiful amounts of food - his homemade smoked meats, chili, potato salad and more. He had fireworks, games and activities for the children as well as the adults.

Jesse was, in many ways, an old soul. He seemed to have been born a hundred years too late. He loved the outdoors, history, traditional skills, and the simple, capable way of life of another era. He shared these passions with his Grandpa Sims, who passed away some 57 years ago, and with his Uncle Harv who passed when Jesse was a small boy. He shared their love of hunting and spending as much time as possible in the mountains, cooking in cast iron Dutch ovens on an open fire. His membership in the American Mountain Men became an important part of his life. He embraced it with his whole heart and soul, learning the skills and crafts necessary to create authentic period clothing, equipment, and tools. He loved learning, practicing, and sharing those skills with his Mountain Men brothers, and the friendships he made through that community meant a great deal to him.

But perhaps nothing defined Jesse more than his love for people and his desire to help them.

Jesse loved to cook. He taught himself how to prepare countless beautiful dishes. He wouldn’t follow recipes, a talent passed down from his great grandmother (Nanny Pymm). Jesse had an extensive palate and a genuine appreciation for all kinds of foods. He loved experimenting, creating and making something his own. He especially loved his smoker. He could smoke all types of meats, cheese and vegetables. Weekly, he would smoke a large amount of jerky, with different flavor combinations and take to the office to share. Sharing his cooking with others was simply another way Jesse showed his love and generosity. He didn’t just make food-he made something to give away and enjoy together.

Jesse had an extraordinary gift for music. He taught himself to play the guitar, banjo and the harmonica. He was driven by the deep need to express himself through his music. He wrote many of his own songs, performed them, and found great fulfillment through music. His talent, creativity and love of music was unmistakable, and those who heard him play will carry those memories with them.

Jesse’s most beloved companion was his dog, Hoosker. Hoosker was not simply a pet; he was Jesse’s faithful best friend. The two were inseparable. Wherever Jesse went, Hoosker was by his side and the bond was unmistakable. Jesse loved him dearly and Hoosker was a constant and treasured part of his life. The love and companionship they shared was a beautiful reflection of Jesse’s tender heart and his capacity to form deep, loyal bonds.

For nearly twenty years, Jesse devoted his career to helping young people through wilderness therapy. He worked with young men and women who were struggling with difficult circumstances, hurts, mistakes, and missteps in their lives. Jesse had a gift for meeting people where they were and helping them find a way forward. He taught them how to face challenges, how to recognize the good that still existed in their lives, how to accept responsibility, make better choices, and how to use their own experiences to help others. He believed in people, often when they were having difficulty believing in themselves.

Jesse's kindness extended far beyond his work. Helping others was simply who he was.

He could not pass someone who needed help without stopping. If he saw an elderly person at the grocery store struggling to get a cart to their car or unload their groceries, Jesse would help. If he saw someone struggling to get their trash cans to the street, he would stop his car, get out, and take them to the curb. He never seemed to consider these things extraordinary. To Jesse, helping someone was simply the right thing to do.

While living in Salt Lake, Jesse walked the same section of neighborhood for a period of time, and began noticing an older gentleman who sat on his porch. At first, Jesse simply made a point of saying hello. Eventually, he stopped to sit on the porch and visit. Those conversations became meaningful to him. Jesse had a genuine love for older people and treasured hearing about their lives, their experiences, and their wisdom. He cared about loneliness and isolation and wanted people to know they were seen and valued. He could share in someone's joy just as readily as he could sit with someone in their loneliness. Jesse eventually returned home to St. George to be closer to family. During that time, his beloved great-aunt Joan was in the final stages of pancreatic cancer, and Jesse treasured every opportunity to spend time with her. His presence brought comfort and companionship during those difficult days, and being there for someone he loved was exactly the kind of person Jesse was. He understood the value of simply being present—of sitting with someone, listening, sharing stories, and making sure they did not have to face difficult days alone.

At the time of his passing, Jesse had a beloved 101-year-old aunt whom he absolutely adored and treasured. He loved visiting with her, and she loved every moment she spent with him. This relationship was a beautiful reflection of Jesse's heart—he recognized the value in people, in their stories, and in the time we are given with one another.

Jesse was blessed with an immense number of friends, but the love they had for him went far beyond ordinary friendship. Again and again, his friends have reached out to his family to say that Jesse wasn't simply their friend. He was their best friend. He was their brother.

The outpouring of love from Jesse's friends has been overwhelming and deeply humbling to his family. They have stepped forward with extraordinary kindness, surrounding his family and helping to ease the burden of this unbelievable loss. Their love is a testament to the kind of man Jesse was and to the countless lives he touched.

Jesse had a heart of gold. He was bigger than life. He was strong, compassionate, curious, capable, fiercely loyal, and deeply caring. He left pieces of himself everywhere he went—in the lives of the young men he helped, in the friendships he cherished, in the Mountain Men community he loved, in the stories of his ancestors, and in the countless small acts of kindness that he performed without ever expecting recognition.

His absence leaves an immeasurable emptiness in his family and among the many people who loved him. There are no words sufficient to describe what his family has lost. We will miss his presence, his stories, his laughter, his strength, his kindness, and the enormous heart he carried through this world.

Jesse is preceded in death by many family members who undoubtedly welcomed him with open arms, among them his aunt Jodie and grandma Lola. He loved, respected and admired his grandma. He always said that she was the most giving and selfless woman…

He is survived by his mother, Beki and her husband Brett, his father, Dennis, his loving sister Sariann and her husband, Erick and their two daughters; and beloved nieces, Becca and Noahh; his treasured great aunt Pymm who is 101 years young, his dear aunt Lisa, her husband Russ, their children, Brady (Aubrey), Carson (Dani), Stephanie (Kaleb), Garrett (Cydney), their children, whom Jesse adored; cousins Colt (Maggie), their daughter Aurora, his cousin Ciera, and extended family and many friends who loved him dearly.

Jesse's life reminds us that a person's legacy is not measured only by what they accomplish, but by the people they help, the kindness they give, the stories they carry forward, and the love they leave behind.

Jesse carried the strength and spirit of those who came before him. He spent his life helping those who came after him.

He was an old soul, a protector, a teacher, a brother, a friend, and a man with an extraordinary heart.

He will be loved, remembered, and missed for generations to come.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited share their condolences and sign Jesse’s online guestbook at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com