Jesse Hiatt

1932 - 2014

Jesse Aldred Hiatt, 82, of Idaho Falls, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, in Idaho Falls.

Jess was born Feb. 29, 1932, in Greensboro, N.C., to Samuel Atkins Hiatt and Mary Ila Robertson Hiatt. He had one brother and four sisters. Jess attended Hanes High School and some college in North Carolina.

He then served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea until honorably discharged in 1954. He returned to North Carolina and worked as an upholsterer for several years. He then moved to Salt Lake City, where he met his wife of 51 years, Anita.

He married Anita Lee Hammond on Aug. 16, 1963, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Jess and Anita have seven children, 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They started their married life together in the Salt Lake City area, where Jess started his own upholstery business. They then moved their family to the Taylor, Idaho, area, where they resided for the next 36 years. Jess and Anita celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year with all of their children and grandchildren.

Jess was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings including Scout leader, home teacher and Sunday school president. He exemplified the teachings of Jesus Christ through his love of everyone and his forgiving heart.

He is survived by his wife, Anita; six children, Wendy (Fletch) Mullins of Ririe, Lance of Idaho Falls, Mark (Karen) of Rigby and Ilene (Cory) Stolworthy, Rebecca (Matt) Wall, and Samuel (Sara), all of Idaho Falls; 16 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother, Samuel (Nina) Hiatt and sister, Irene (Jerry) Spivey, both of North Carolina.

Jess was preceded in death by his son, Jacob; his grandson, Jesse Hammon; and sisters, Stella, Gracie, and Francis.

Jess enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, collecting and playing his harmonica. He loved his garden, which was really more like a farm, and loved giving the harvest to family and friends. "Chops," as he was lovingly referred to by his children, always had a jig, dance, saying or song to brighten their day. He taught his children the importance of hard work and perseverance as he struggled with pain in his later life. Husband, dad, grandpa - we love you!!

He loved people and made everyone laugh and smile and feel like they were his lifelong best friend. Throughout his life, he always found ways to look on the bright side and helped others to do the same. Jess was a man of great generosity and love.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Jameston LDS Ward, 1101 E. 1250 North in Shelley, with Bishop Corwin Sutherin officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Taylor Cemetery.

Condolences may be made to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.