Jesse Evan Hiatt peacefully passed away on June 16, 2025. He was born on November 18, 1962 in Mt. Airy, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Ara Jean Hiatt; a sister, Noreen Roush; and two brothers, Floyd and John. His surviving family include his wife of 39 years,  Louise D. Hiatt, and his children: Shane, Russell (Melissa), Phillip (Emily), and Nicole. He is also survived by his brothers Gene (Jane), Stewart (Ann), Alan (Karen), and Derrick (Rachel), and sisters Dena (Keith) Earhart, Carolyn Gentry, Jennifer (Ray) Riska and Janeen (Michael) Ashcraft.

Jesse was devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ. He lived a life following the Savior's example. As a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served in many leadership roles, including teacher, Branch President, Bishop, Stake Clerk, and High Councilor. Yet, his greatest desire was to serve as Christ served.

Jesse served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Cali, Columbia shortly after high school. He graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he met his wife, Louise. They were married in the Washington, D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ on May 23, 1986.

He loved working in education and spent 35 years doing so. He worked for Patrick County, Carroll County, and Mt. Airy City Schools. He served as a teacher, administrator, and central office staff.  He took an opportunity to teach in Beijing, China, for a year which greatly influenced how he saw and interacted with others for the rest of his life.

He absolutely loved being in the classroom. He went out of his way to make people feel seen and heard. He saw the good in all he met and was thrilled to meet new people. One of his joys was standing in the hallway outside his classroom greeting everyone who walked by and playing games with his students during lunch.

Jesse loved working outdoors on just about anything. He found burning piles of leaves very relaxing and a chance to reflect. He enjoyed being active. He loved running and refereeing school and community football and basketball games. Camping and hiking were favorites as well.

Jesse dealt with Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma the last four years of his life. He used that experience as a way to grow into a better version of himself. He appreciated the opportunity "to live like I am dying" in a very real way. He was grateful for the opportunity he had to focus on what was most important to him, which included faith, family, and friends. He chose to focus on celebrating small victories.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of The Church of Jesus Christ counseled: "In the midst of this refiner's fire, rather than get angry with God, get close to God. Call upon the Father in the name of the Son. Walk with Them in the Spirit, day by day. Allow Them over time to manifest Their fidelity to you. Come truly to know Them and truly to know yourself. Let God prevail." Jesse followed these instructions. As Jesse turned to the Savior, each and every time He responded with comfort and peace. His close relationship with the Father and the Son made all of the difference and was worth all he went through.

The funeral service will be held Friday, June 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1136 Ft. Chiswell Road, Fort Chiswell, Virginia.  Interment will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025 in the James Monroe Hiatt Cemetery, Mount Airy, North Carolina.  The family will receive friends Thursday, June 19, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel.

Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady is serving the Hiatt family.