Jesse Fox Kuykendall

Jesse Fox Kuykendall, 29, of Lakewood, died April 13, 2006, at his home. Born October 18, 1976 in Denver, he was the son of Ronald and Sharon (Stanley) Kuykendall. Jesse was engaged to be married to Emily Mehring. In addition to his parents and his fiance, he is survived by his stepfather, Ron Halverson, his brother, Clint Kuykendall, and his grandparents, Charles & Lona Stanley, & Helen Kuykendall. My Son Jesse When my son Jesse was in first grade, his class went to the zoo one day and, afterwards, the teacher asked them all to draw a picture of what they had seen. Jesse drew a picture of the back of a head because he didn't see the world as others did. Jesse saw more than most. He had a gift of being able to accept and love things and people as they really were and not try to change them into what he wanted them to be. And he was a free spirit that did what he thought was right, not what everyone else thought he should do. When he was in second grade, his teacher, an elderly woman named Pearl Smith, told me Jesse followed the beat of a different drum, and the sooner we learned to accept him and love him for it, the happier we would all be. Sometimes it was hard for me to see him choose a path that would not have been my own choice. But I knew I did not own Jesse; God only gave him into my care for a short while. So I learned to love his individuality and Jesse grew to be a good man--stubborn but good. He was funny, gentle, and vulnerable. He was also curious about everything and he had an open mind. Everyone loved him for these qualities. Jesse also basked in Gods love. I have poured through his bible over the last few nights looking for something that might help me to better accept his young death and I found comfort in these words he had highlighted. Jesus said; "Just as I have loved you, you must love one another. This is how all men will know that you are my disciples, because you have such love for one another." Jesse and his friends celebrated this in their love for life and each other every minute they were together. And Jesse lived his life trusting and believing that, no matter what he did. God would be there every moment to catch him if he fell. Somethimes it was hard for those of us who loved him to have that same faith. I am thankful that last year Jesse and his best friend decided to celebrate their love for God and each other by getting engaged. Emily was the light of his life and she adored him. Jesse used to say, "I love that girl and she will always love me." He basked in her love too. Although I will miss Jesse with all my heart and soul, I am comforted knowing that Jesse went to sleep Wednesday night knowing he was loved by God and everyone else. Thank you God for catching my son Jesse. I love you Jesse.