Jason Thomas Salter

Salter, Jason Thomas
“Jesse”
1977 to 2024

Our Jesse officially departed this world October 24, 2024. He leaves to mourn his passing, his father Ted, his sisters Kirsten (Erik) and Sarah (Mark), his Grandma Agnes and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and family friends. Jesse was predeceased by his mother Sheila, his Grandpa Harry, other beloved family members and his favorite and heroic tabby cat Buddy.

As a child, Jesse happily went along with his older sisters’ adventures. For some years, on Saturdays after chores were completed, they bundled him into a red wagon for the long trek to the Red Rooster store. Jesse willingly played along at being the pioneer baby in his sisters’ Laura Ingalls Wilder inspired storyline. Rainy days would see the wagon stuck in the ruts behind the school. Both sisters were needed to extract the wagon (and sometimes little brother) from the mud. Winter snows saw them break out the sled with extra blankets for Jesse, so as to carry on their tradition.

At an early age Jesse became a gifted musician. Pitch perfect, he often replayed favorite movie scores and experimented with melodies on the piano. He could play any piece by ear yet his favourite gifts were musical score sheets, especially those from popular tv shows and films. His creative art work was vivid and intensely personal, with a unique style that often reflected the light and dark aspects of his inner world. Using whatever materials were available, his photographs and paintings were sometimes incomprehensibly bleak; while other creations were filled with light, warmth, and playfulness. Jesse was also a talented actor cast in many school plays, and as a teenager working in video productions and commercials.

The depth of Jesse’s extreme emotional world brought both brilliance and tumult. Mental health challenges were a constant companion. At 18, the death of his mother marked a profound shift in his life. Shortly thereafter he was struck by a car at a crosswalk. He suffered injuries that required months of rehabilitation and left lasting physical and emotional scars. As time passed, therapeutic medications were repeatedly discarded in favor of other substances. The effects and consequences of his choices gradually distanced him from family, friends and lovers. His circle diminished as he struggled with increasing torment, emotional volatility and dependency, leaving few willing to share both his intensity and his infrequent gentler moments.

Despite the hardships he faced, Jesse is remembered with deep love and admiration. He was the adorable baby brother with the chubbiest baby feet that would never fit into the shoes his sisters decided he should wear. He was a collector of scavenged animal bones which often became art projects. He appreciated apple pie, great aesthetic, bizarre pets, musical compositions, movies, handsome and well-dressed men, and he had a penchant for bursting out in song at times most inappropriate and uncomfortable. He loved chaos, but craved constancy. Jesse moved to the beat of his own drum, driven by his unique connection to the world around him. But mostly … he just missed his mom.

Jesse’s intensity, artistic legacy, humor, and the depth he brought to life will remain with those who knew and loved him. No service is planned. After cremation, his ashes will be carried to Sheila’s Mountain Meadow.