Jesse Wales IV
A memorial service for Jesse Harold Wales IV, 38-year-old Shattuck resident, was Friday, July 23, at the Shattuck High School gym under the direction of Billings Funeral Home.
He was interred at the Shattuck Memorial Cemetery.
On Nov. 20, 1982, Jesse was born in Woodward to Traci (Moreland) and Jess Wales III. His trademark baby blue eyes and infectious smile were prominent features that charmed both family and strangers from birth.
Two years later, the family expanded to include his little brother, Josh. Jesse, a boisterous and ornery child, delighted in teasing Josh.
However, the prototype of the perfect big brother, he protectively believed he was the only person who could do so.
Jesse went to Kingfisher Public Schools.
Even in his elementary days, Jesse was an apt student who excelled both in the classroom and on the ball field.
He naturally lit up any room, which was evident when he starred as the youngest brother at the Southwest Playhouse’s production of Cheaper by the Dozen.
He was a mere 9-yearold performing alongside older and more experienced actors. Yet, Jesse was the theater’s darling with his knack for engaging the audience.
His natural ability to make friends was evident at a young age.
Though he loved all sports, Jesse plunged feet first into golf before he was even in the first grade. Following in his father’s footsteps, he would beg his mother to take him to the golf course in the morning and stay all day.
A strong work ethic was a trait Jesse admired in his father and was first perfected on the golf greens. His love for the sport would continue for the rest of his life.
After graduating from Kingfisher High School in 2001, Jesse moved to Stillwater to continue his education at Oklahoma State University. From OSU, he earned a bachelor’s of science degree in business.
While attending OSU, Jesse was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. There, he established friendships that he would maintain for the rest of his life.
Upon hearing the news of his death, several fraternity friends said that, while they maybe had not seen Jesse in several years, his continued presence in their lives through regular phone calls and text messages had made him closer to a brother than a friend.
In 2006, his father Jess called and asked him to relocate to work as a salesman at Jess Wales Chevrolet in Shattuck. However, the offer came with stipulations – Jess wanted his son to understand that the career opportunity in the family-owned business was not a birthright. Nothing would be given to him.
Furthermore, if Jesse wanted to pursue this venture, he would not only be expected to work as hard as every other employee, he would, in fact, have to outwork them.
Jesse took this proposition to heart. He understood that the customers, many of whom were repeat customers, were the people who put food upon his family’s table.
Likewise, he held a high value for his devoted employees, knowing that their performance depended upon his.
Though Jesse loved being at home or with friends and family, he regularly put in six days a week at the dealership.
Jesse’s efforts at the dealership did not go unnoticed by the General Motors Corporation.
While his hard work had already earned his father’s confidence and earned a promotion to general manager of Shattuck’s Jess Wales Chevrolet, GM allowed him to earn the prestigious title of Executive Manager.
In doing so, Jesse was pre-approved to take over the dealership’s ownership at any time. This rare designation not only considers a candidate’s available capital, but also the training and character of the designated candidate.
While attending a red dirt concert in September 2009, fate allowed Jesse to meet his future bride, Hattie. Though the pair lived nearly 90 miles apart, they were almost immediately inseparable.
That steadfast affection would endure for the rest of Jesse’s life.
Jesse and Hattie married on May 7, 2011, in Woodward. In that union, Jesse gained his oldest son, Colton.
His love for Colton came naturally, admiring the boy’s humble nature.
Some of Jesse’s proudest moments included watching Colton and his Shattuck teammates win three consecutive state football championships.
He shared his passion for golf with Colton and was equally proud that Colton was often the only high school golfer who carried his own bag during tournaments.
Jesse had learned that value from his own father, believing it demonstrated a strong work ethic and character.
After several years of trying to expand their family, Hattie’s and Jesse’s prayers were finally answered when they got pregnant with their twins, Jett and Jax.
He was elated when he discovered that they would be boys and held his infectious smile for weeks after learning the news.
Jett and Jax were born in April 2016 and life was never the same.
Jesse was a natural caregiver for the infants. Nurses at Great Plains Regional Medical Center joked that he should pursue a second career in healthcare as he attended to his beautiful wife and two newborns.
They had inherited his baby blue eyes and warm smile.
Jesse was a planner by nature, always strategizing for future success.
He had relished in his role as Colton’s childhood coach and daydreamed of teaching Jett and Jax the many sports he loved.
In fact, he had already made plans with his friend AJ to swap golf lessons for pitching lessons for their small children.
During this last summer, he was finally able to realize his dreams as he coached Jett and Jax in their first t-ball season.
Jesse’s three boys were the greatest joy of his life. Every day when his twins heard the garage door open, they would scurry to a playful round of hide-and-seek.
No matter how long his workday had been, he made time for the people he loved.
For 16 years, Jesse worked for the dealership and took great pride in the stellar reputation of Jess Wales Chevrolet. He knew that a strong Shattuck was the best foundation not only for his own business, but that of the entire community.
He had served in the past as president of Shattuck’s All-Sports Association and the Shattuck Golf Course.
In addition, he diligently campaigned for the school bond issue to provide the town’s youth with the best facilities. When Jesse set a goal, he committed to its completion.
Jesse loved to travel. He fondly reflected upon his childhood trips to Red River with his paternal grandparents.
He and Hattie enjoyed several trips to the area, both in the summer and the winter.
Recently, Jesse had been hatching plans to spend more time in the area to teach his twins to ski, just as he had with Colton.
Likewise, Jesse cherished his trips with Hattie to Las Vegas. Whether he was there for GM training or simply to enjoy downtime with his beloved wife, Jesse was excited about the fun getaways.
The only team Jesse valued more than the OSU Cowboys was his work family.
He often gushed that they were the best team in the business.
Jesse was preceded in death by his Poppy, Jess Wales, Jr., and maternal grandmother, Corlena Welch.
Celebrating his precious memory are the love of his life, Hattie, and sons Colton, Jett and Jax of the home; mother Traci Weeks and husband Kevin of Woodward; father Jess Wales III and wife Kathy of Woodward; brother Josh Wales and wife Ally of Oklahoma City; sister Skylar Hunter and husband Derek of Moore; sister Blaire Beauchamp of Woodward; sister-in-law Kristy Taylor and husband Clint of Sayre; sister-in-law Joni Grayson of Washington state; paternal grandmother Laverna Dezort and husband Stub of Woodward; uncle Jeff Wales and wife Teresa of Woodward; uncle Jimmy Wales of Woodward; aunt Angi Pingry and husband Larry of Woodward; aunt Susan Welch of Emory, Texas; nieces and nephews Cooper, Dailee, Preslie, Channing, Crockett, Nora, Judah and Parker; close friends Kevin Hudson, Zane Meyer, William Frazier, Chance Suthers, Clint Taylor and Travis Anderson; the Jess Wales Chevrolet work family and a host of other friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, Jesse’s family would like to honor his commitment to the future through donations to the Shattuck All-Sports Association or to the Jett and Jax Wales fund at SNB Bank in Shattuck.
Jesse will be remembered for his fun-loving nature and keen business mind.
But, above all, he will be missed for his never-ending adoration for the people and things he most loved.
His unique personality was a rare combination of peacekeeper, fierce competitor, dogged work ethic and man of leisure.