Jesse Harley Stites

Jesse Harley Stites was born on February 1, 1928, in Sultan, Washington, to James R. and Eliza (Jefferson) Stites and passed away on April 12, 2026, at the age of 98; a life well lived.

While Jesse was born in Sultan, his family relocated to Belfair when he was nine, and after marrying Shirley Bradley Stites, he eventually settled in Shelton, Washington, where they began their family and his life, work, and heart were firmly rooted.

From a young age, Dad was known for his strong work ethic and independent spirit. At just 16 years old, he quit school and went to work at a local grocery store before leaving to work as a cook on a tugboat. Eventually, he found what would become his life’s passion: working in the woods.

Jesse spent most of his life as a timber faller and bucker, a job he didn’t just do—he lived. Nothing made him happier than working with timber and providing for his family. In later years, he’d make sure everyone in the neighborhood had a full woodshed. The woods were his peace and his pride.

Even into his later years, that love never faded. At the age of 90, while falling a large tree on his family property, Jesse suffered a mini stroke. Though it limited his ability to keep working in the woods, losing that part of his life was one of the hardest things for him. He missed it deeply and spoke of it often.

Jesse was also a devoted father and caregiver. For many years, he cared for his son, Gary, with unwavering love and patience. He lovingly took on this role until the age of 91, when Gary required more intensive care and moved into a nursing home. Even then, Jesse showed up every single day for many years—just to feed him dinner. Gary was famously a picky eater, but Dad took great delight in feeding him foods Gary would never have touched while in his care. It became a running joke among family and neighbors and just one more example of Jesse’s unique sense of humor, dedication, and deep love.

Dad loved life and loved people—and everyone loved him right back. He enjoyed music, dancing, traveling, animals, long conversations about his years in the woods, and telling stories from days gone by, especially those involving the trouble he and his twin brother got into. His twin, James, made them Jesse and James, and they certainly lived up to their names—though Dad would always say with a smirk that Uncle Jimmy was the wild one.

Jesse was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, James Stites; his sister, Lillian Stites Hankinson; his younger brother, Ray Stites; his first wife, Shirley Bradley Stites, his second wife, Kathy Carlson Stites, and his son, Gary Stites.

One of a kind in the truest sense, Jesse is survived by many family members and friends who loved him ever so deeply. He was hardworking, kind, and endlessly generous. He will be missed immensely by all who knew and loved him.

A celebration of life will be planned for a future date.

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