Jesse Melot

A graduate of Fulton High School and Siena Heights University, Jesse was never happier than when sharing laughter and music with friends and family. He played the violin as a youth and tinkered with the guitar as an adult. He led an active life, from varsity basketball, track and cross country for the Fulton Pirates to the completion just this year of the Crim Road Race in Flint and the Capital City River Run half-marathon in Lansing. He picked up golf as an adult and enjoyed many rounds with his husband and friends across Michigan and elsewhere.

Jesse’s life, though, was truly defined by his loving, generous spirit and his commitment to helping others. He never lacked for a smile, encouraging word or sympathetic ear for friend or teammate alike. He was a longtime volunteer at Ele’s Place, working with grieving children and providing moral support to fellow volunteers whenever they needed encouragement. Though he had considered a career as a marine biologist, he found his way into the insurance field, not surprisingly in the specialty of customer service. However, he never lost his intense love of planet earth and its many wonders. He would fill his camera and, later, his phone with sunsets, flowers and spectacular vistas from the many stops he and his husband Derek were able to make during their 14 years together: Hawaii, Yosemite, Paris, London, Rome, San Francisco, New York and Montreal, to name a few. Jesse was a true son of Michigan, reflected in his abiding interest in new cars and in spending quiet weekends on Michigan lakes big (Michigan, Huron) and otherwise (Charlevoix, Tubbs).

Jesse is survived by his husband, Derek, of the home; his mother, Stacy Sherman, of Maple Rapids, Mich.; his sister, Heather Sherman, of Maple Rapids, Mich.; his nephew, Daniel Matson of Maple Rapids; cousins; hundreds of friends whose lives he touched while he was with us; and his “fur babies” Boomer and Margot.

A celebration of Jesse's life will take place at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 15 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Lansing Chapel, with visitation from 11:00 am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests support for the wonderful work done at Ele’s Place and the Capital Area Humane Society.