Jesse Fuller Grimmett

Jesse Fuller Grimmett of Eagle Lake, passed unexpectedly on Saturday December 20th, 2025 at age 27. The loss of Jesse is not only one that his family will feel indefinitely, but anyone who had the pleasure to know him.

Jesse was born to Allan and Dayna Grimmett on June 11, 1998, in Hastings, Nebraska, with a face full of freckles and blue eyes that could get him out of any trouble he so eagerly created. Jesse grew up surrounded by his two older sisters and cousin, as well as, the love of many animals. Jesse inherited his love of animals from his mom and aunt and always had a favorite dog. Jesse played a variety of sports growing up and was good at all of them, it seemed as though there was nothing that Jesse wasn’t great at. Jesse loved to fish and spend time on any golf course, sometimes for 36 holes.

Jesse joined the military in 2017, and went to basic training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina in early 2018. It was his greatest accomplishment to be an American soldier. After graduating as a PFC, Jesse started his first of many years on active-duty orders. Jesse worked at Camp Ashland’s DFAC and was quickly moved into a leadership role. He continued to work his way through the ranks, accruing numerous awards and honors. As an NCO, Jesse participated in and mentored the Best Warrior competitions in both the 907 and 856 Quarter Masters. The pride he took in being a part of the Army was something that made him who he was; Jesse was truly the pinnacle of a soldier and set a strong example for the soldiers he led. Jesse will receive the posthumous honor of being promoted to an E6, something that he would be so proud of to have earned.

In 2022, Jesse relocated to Lakeland, Florida and obtained his real estate license. He had a talent to talk to people and a wealth of knowledge about just about anything. He loved taking long weekend trips to the beach, always spontaneously.

Jesse met Veronica in May of 2023 when she moved to Tampa. The connection they had was immediate, and the kind that only comes once in a lifetime. The two married at the Bartow courthouse on April 26th of 2024. Soon after, Jesse accepted active-duty orders near Jacksonville assisting the Camp Blanding Dining Facilities management. Jesse and Veronica moved back to Central Florida and purchased their first home together in August. Jesse was excited to be closer to family and eager for his next set of orders to continue his service to his country. Most recently, Jesse was exploring his faith and enjoyed sharing the wisdom he was quickly gaining about God with others. It never took long for Jesse to have a deep understanding of something, and this applied to his faith, too.

Jesse had a spirit that could fill a room without him saying a word. His presence was reserved, but strong and heard by all. There is a magnitude about Jesse that drew people to him and garnished immediate respect. Jesse loved to spend time surrounded by the people he loved; his greatest joy was doing things for others that made them feel special. No matter who you ask, they will all you tell you the same “there truly is no one who compares to Jess”.

Jesse is survived by his wife Veronica, parents Allan and Dayna, Sister Brianna McMaster (Shae), sister Alexis Smiley (Austin), grandparents Connie Hansen (Gary) and Marcy Speake and Steven Hansen (Debbie), aunt Anne Halbert, cousin Nathan Halbert, nieces Mya, Quinn and Kiyah, nephew Houston, father and mother in law Michael and Robin Winkler , sister in-law Antonia, close friend Teyler Phelps (Casey, god-daughter Evelyn), and many other friends and family. Jesse is preceded in death by his grandfather Gary Grimmett and great-grandmother Beth Keller.

Memorial Services for Jesse will be held at Heath Funeral Chapel (328 S. Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland) on Friday, January 2nd, 2026. Visitation will take place beginning at 4 pm with service to follow at 5. If you knew Jesse, you knew how much he loved to be surrounded by his people, your presence would be so welcomed and appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, the family is collecting donations for the Jesse Grimmett Mental Health Memorial Fund. The loss of Jesse has highlighted the significant need for resources for military member support in the most difficult times. A GoFundMe, started by Jesse’s best friend and brother in arms Teyler Phelps, will serve as the collection point for those interested.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-jesse-grimmett