Jess "Jett" Lee Stroman IV

He was the kind of person who lit up every room he entered. Who didn’t always say the right thing, but never let you feel alone. His sparkling blue eyes teamed up with his gleaming smile—a full-faced, mischievous grin—to let you know he already had the perfect quip locked and loaded. He had a big heart, a big personality, and a way of making people feel like maybe they weren’t so messed up after all.

He was bold, magnetic, and deeply human.

Jett is survived by his sister, Karli, his mother, Kim, his “bonus-dad”, Mike, and more family members (not all blood related, but all 100% family none the less) and friends than we could possibly begin to list, but all of whom matter immensely.

His sister, Karli, was the anchor to his chaos, the light in his darker moments, and his best friend through it all. His mother, Kim, was his biggest cheerleader, his #1 fan, and always gave him every ounce of love and support she had and then some.

He carried their strength, even when he didn’t realize it.

Jett was an honors student in school, raking in straight A’s with ease. He pursued a business degree at USC before switching gears and receiving his Associates degree in Construction Management—he enjoyed the physical labor and working with his hands. He was creative in every way from writing poetry to joke telling, painting, sketching, pottery, and welding metal works of wonder. He cared deeply for those who weren’t cared for as they should’ve been. He spent time cleaning up areas he knew the homeless tended to flock to for sleep or temporary housing. He loved hiking, biking, kayaking, and anything on the lake or near the river.

Jett didn’t want formality. He didn’t want fake smiles or stuffy suits.

If you’re reading this, he’d want you to remember the real stuff:

The way he made you laugh when you didn’t want to.

The way he cared—even if he pretended not to.

The way he tried.

We’re not here to pretend he was perfect.

We’re here because he was real. And because he mattered.

To us. To the world.

And always, always to Karli & Kim.

In lieu of flowers, Jett would want you to do something real:

Tell someone, in detail, why you love them.

Forgive someone.

Sing loud in the car.

Help a stranger.

Stay up too late talking about nothing.

Be kind to someone who’s struggling.

(The family is also accepting donations to the Oliver gospel mission, a cause close to Jett’s heart.)

He didn’t always know how to ask for help.

But he knew how to give it when you needed it.

So do that.

In his honor.