Jesse Bazzell Obituary

Jesse Clay Bazzell, 49, passed away on April 17, 2026, in Festus, Missouri. He was born on October 10, 1976, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Jesse was a man of remarkable intellect who had an insatiable appetite for reading. Whether he was cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals or anchoring a trivia team, his presence was defined by a sharp mind and easy-going nature. As the eldest of four children, Jesse was the architect for the young lives of his siblings. Fueled by the shared love of the passions he sparked in them, they followed his way into the choir, the theater stage, and the ballfield. Jesse often prioritized others over himself; His love for his family was the quiet heartbeat of his life. Jesse was a devoted Son, a proud Brother, and an adoring Uncle.

Jesse was a Sergeant in the 1st Cavalry Division of the United States Army, serving in Iraq during both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. A member of Troop B, 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment ('Blackhawks') within the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team ('Greywolf'), he served as a Fire Support Specialist and Gunner in Mosul. For his service, he was awarded the Combat Action Badge and inducted into the Order of the Combat Spur. Jesse was a two-time recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, recognized for the leadership and merit he displayed throughout his military career. Following his military service, Jesse worked as a long-haul trucker for BTC, where he continued to demonstrate his strong work ethic and reliability.

He is survived by his father, Dennis Clay (Lisa) Bazzell; his mother, Vicky Lowry; his siblings Jonathan (Sarah) Bazzell, Joseph (Jennifer) Bazzell, Julia (Keith) Jenkins, Emma Fraley, Shane Fraley; and his nephew and best buddy, Oliver Clay Bazzell.

Jesse will be remembered for his wit, his resilience, and the deep devotion he had for his family. His memory rests in the hearts of those that loved him and he will be terribly missed.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6300 Highway 30, Cedar Hill, MO 63016. The Funeral Ceremony will immediately follow at 12:00 p.m.