Jesse Carl Staley was born on Aug. 29, 1958, and passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 1, 2025, in Moore, Okla., at the age of 66, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Jesse was born in Lindsay, Okla., to Jesse Claude Staley and Maggie Alice (Owen) Staley. He attended school at Hughes and Story before graduating from Maysville High School. He raised his family in Moore while building a 30-year career at Tinker Air Force Base, where he held various roles during his distinguished tenure. His final position was as the KC-10 SPO Depot Manager, overseeing critical maintenance and logistics operations—a role he loved and was proud to fulfill. Jesse was known for his tireless work ethic and as someone who could always be counted on to do the job right.
Jesse found great joy in his garden, where he spent countless hours growing and tending to a variety of plants and vegetables with care and dedication. Through his garden, he shared his love with family and friends, delighting in giving away the fruits of his labor to brighten others’ days. His generosity and green thumb will always be remembered by those fortunate enough to share in his harvest.
When he wasn’t working in the garden or spending time with loved ones, Jesse enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching Gunsmoke.
Jesse’s family, who will miss him dearly, includes his son, Jonathan Staley and Heather, of Norman, Okla.; his daughter, Jessica Brown and Al, of Piedmont, Okla.; his sisters, Sharon Forkner and Kent, of Purcell, Okla., and Susie Crow, of Wynnewood, Okla.; his brother, Marvin Staley, of Lexington, Okla.; and his grandchildren, Jeremy, Jared, Jaxon, Jensen Cooper, Addison and Rhett.
Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Maggie Staley, and his grandparents, Jess and Nellie Staley and Clint and Alvia Owen.
In lieu of the flowers the family requests donations be made in Jesse’s memory to: Baptist Children’s Home, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, Okla., 73112.
A memorial service to honor his life and memory will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at Winans Funeral Home Chapel in Maysville, Okla. Please dress comfortably, as Jesse would have wanted. Arrangements for cremation are under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at winansfuneralhome.com.
