Jesse Burley

Jesse William Burley, 41, passed away on Monday, July 4, 2011. He died doing what he loved to do, not listening to what people told him to do and having a great time.

Jesse was born in Fargo.  At an early age it was obvious that he "marched to a different drummer."  He played soccer, baseball and participated in cub scouts.   Jesse graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1988 and studied at North Dakota State University and San Diego Community College in California. Jesse loved music, food, wine and making people laugh.  Jesse had a chocolate lab named Blue that he loved and adored.  He had a big heart and made friends wherever he traveled.  He lived in Fargo for most of his life, but worked in Vail, CO, Humboldt, CA, San Diego, CA and Whitefish, MT.  While living in California he followed the bands The Grateful Dead and Phish.  He moved back to Fargo several years ago to be closer to his family.  He worked as a server in several restaurants and most recently he worked for his stepfather as a sand jacking technician.

His greatest joy was his two sons.  He loved every minute of being a father from changing diapers to chasing two very active little boys.  Some of their favorite activities were jumping on the bed and having yelling contests.  He was determined that they have fun and feel loved.  He wanted to teach them how to play in the mud and catch frogs just as he had done as a child.

Jesse will be remembered for his quick wit, inappropriate sense of humor and charming smile. Jesse was a lover, agitator, peace maker, friend, father, son and brother.  He loved watching the Simpsons and Family Guy. 

Survived by his two sons, Logan and Elijah Burley;  parents, Carol Burley and Chuck Asplin, Roger and Susan Burley; siblings, Kristen Burley DePree and Chad Brown (Fargo), Becky Burley and Jeff Oberlander (Minneapolis); and his grandmother, Barbara Burley.   He also leaves an extended family with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jesse was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dorothy and John Zaylskie, Gayle Burley and his beloved dog, Blue.