Jesse E. Depue

Jesse Earl DePue was born May 20, 1983, in Bend, Oregon, and grew up in the close-knit community of Gilchrist. He carried with him a practical, steady spirit that found expression in his work as a carpenter and later as a logger for Big Guns Logging in Vernonia. Jesse took pride in providing for his family and in the everyday rhythms of hands-on work.

Above all, Jesse was a father. He cherished time with his sons, Camren and Brandon, and delighted in watching them play sports. Family and community mattered deeply to him — he enjoyed hunting and fishing, moments that connected him to the land and to people he loved. Friends and relatives remembered Jesse for his willingness to help others and for a warmth that could be felt in small acts of care.

Jesse’s life was shaped by his roots in Oregon and by the many relationships that sustained him: his partner Shana Banzer of Vernonia; his parents, Steven and Stormwolf DePue of Oregon City; and a large extended family who spoke of him with affection. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Williamson, and other close family members. Those who survive him include grandparents, siblings, nieces and nephews, and many cousins and friends across the region who treasured his company.

The family asked that remembrances be made to the Jesse E. DePue Trust Fund for his children, c/o Wauna Federal Credit Union in Vernonia. A private family service was held, with a public celebration of Jesse’s life to be arranged later. Jesse’s practical skills, devotion to his sons, and the generosity he showed to those around him are the lasting parts of a life that mattered to many.