Jesse Keith Murray: ‘a great father and he loved his kids so much’

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Jesse Keith Murray

Jesse Keith Murray, beloved father of Kayce, Madison, and Trenton, was born on September 3rd, 1973 in San Francisco, California. He passed away in Fortuna, California on March 27th, 2025, at the age of 51.

Jesse lived a loving and exciting life. Around the age of two years old, Jesse moved to Humboldt County, the place he would call home for the rest of his life. Jesse loved participating in sports. Such as, football and soccer, which he was terrific at. Even when asked if he needed to take a break, he would still want to play the entire game. He welcomed any challenge that he was presented with. Jesse attended Toddy Thomas Elementary School and Fortuna Union High School (FUHS) and graduated with the FUHS class of 1992. Shortly after graduation, he started working in the lumber industry; spending some time at P.L. and Schmidbauer.

His entire life, Jesse loved spending time outdoors, often with family and friends. He enjoyed going fishing, camping, tubing, skiing (he was a great water skier!), and spending weekends at his family’s cabin at Ruth Lake. One of his favorite activities was motorcycle riding. In his younger years Jesse often raced at the race track in Ferndale. On weekends he would often go out with his family and ride at the local river bars from sunrise to sunset. Jesse and his stepfather, Mark Murray, would love to take their motorcycles out and see who could go the fastest or do the most dangerous tricks. Another great memory Mark has with Jesse is having Jesse take his race car around the Redwood Acres race track and seeing Jesse smile as big as he could. Jesse had the biggest smile and the best laugh, the kind of smile and laugh that was contagious and you couldn’t keep yourself from smiling and laughing along.

Jesse was a great father and he loved his kids so much. Making amazing memories with his kids was one of the many things Jesse was great at doing. Jesse loved to pick roses, and often did so with his kids. He loved to preserve them, either by waxing or drying. Jesse would play outdoors for hours with his kids when they were growing up; he would always find a way to make them say “Oh wow!” or “That’s so cool!”. Jesse would do anything for them, from transforming his entire backyard into a race track for them to ride quads on, to watching Spiderman on loop (Trenton’s favorite), to letting his daughter Madison (who was only seven years old at the time) cut his hair because she watched one video and thought she was a beautician… it certainly did not go as planned. No matter what it was, he would do it, just to make them happy. Jesse didn’t travel out of the area too often, but when it came to making it to Kayce’s wedding, he made it happen. He was so proud to walk her down the aisle at her wedding. A few years ago, he became a grandfather. He loved spending his grandson’s first birthday playing games at the arcade and getting to be a grandpa. Jesse thought being a father and grandfather was the most wonderful blessing.

These are just some of the memories we will all cherish, forever.

Jesse was a caring, sweet person who had the biggest heart; Jesse just wanted to make people happy. Jesse was also known for having a class clown type of personality and having a quick wit; he had jokes lined up all day long, from the inside jokes he had with his friends to the jokes he shared with his kids. He was the life of the party and there was never a dull moment with him. If someone he cared for needed something, Jesse would be there, either to give an ear to listen or be a partner in crime.

Jesse spent seven good years with his best friend, his dog Bandit. He absolutely loved him beyond words. From long walks, to running around on the beach, to adventuring in the redwoods… they did it all, together. Those two were like two peas in a pod; it was the most precious thing to watch the love they shared for one another.

He is survived by parents, Connie and Mark Murray; brother, Jason Murray (Tosha Whitehead); sister, Danielle (DD) Rocha; children, Kayce Davis (Jared Davis), Madison Murray (Maxton LeRoy), and Trenton Murray; grandchildren, Reign, Ramiri, and Malia; nieces, Jenna Murray and Shyla; nephews, Ryan, Kyrie and Kodi; his dog, Bandit, as well as many other friends and family members, such as beloved aunts, uncles and cousins, who will miss and love him unconditionally and forever. He is preceded in death by his father, Ronald Rocha; sister, Sheena Renee; grandparents, Oscar and Daisy Garlinghouse, as well as other family members and friends.

Jesse was peacefully laid to rest, during a closed service, on April 4th, 2025, surrounded by a few of those who love him dearly. Jesse loved all the dogs he had throughout his years. One year for his birthday, Jesse set-up a fundraiser on his Facebook, where any money contributed would support finding foster services for senior dogs. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to an animal charity or animal rescue foundation of your choice.