Jesse Lee Thompson

Jesse Lee Thompson, 22, of Grand Island departed this earth on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, with his family by his side, at University of Minnesota Medical Center due to post-transplant complications. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, at Apfel Funeral Home. The Rev. Matthew Fowler will officiate. Burial will be in the Grand Island Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Five Points Bank "A Way For Jesse". Jesse was born Feb. 21, 1990, in Grand Island to Henry L. Thompson and Betty Jean Clark. Jesse was the youngest of four sisters, Leslie Spahr of Grand Island, Amy Heath of Littleton, Colo., Heidi Menyweather of and Heather Thompson, both of Grand Island; and one brother Kevin Gibson of Ashland. Jesse was a wonderful uncle to many nieces and nephews, Tanner Jesse Thompson, Gage Ewoldt, Lacee Burnett, Codie Burnett, Bradye Lawrenz, Bryndyn Lawrenz, Kenzie Peterson, Maleke Menyweather, Kaishawn Menyweather, Lillian Heath, James Heath, Tristen Thompson, Olivia Jesse Thompson, Tyler Gibson. Jesse always had a special bond with his two oldest nephews, Tanner and Gage, and his youngest nephew, Tristen Thompson, and youngest niece, Olivia Jesse Thompson. Jesse received his education at West Lawn Elementary School, Walnut Middle School, and later graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 2008. He owned Henry Thompson Tree Service and lived for the business. That was the proudest achievement in his life. In high school, he met the love of his life Chelsey Watson, whom he was with for the past six years, everyday of his life. Jesse enjoyed many things, tearin up 4 wheelers, driving hard in his 2010 Camaro that he was so proud of. He also enjoyed playing xbox, and most of all enjoyed spending time with his family and great friends. He enjoyed being up in the bucket truck cutting trees. Jesse was the most kindest person you would ever meet, he was the most gentle hearted, caring person in the world, he thought of others before he thought of himself, and most of all he loved life. In February of 2012, Jesse was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and was in need of a bone marrow transplant. He went through many months of chemotherapy at University of Omaha Medical Center. In October, Jesse was offered stem cell replacement from two umbilical cords, in order to save his life. Jesse received his transplant in Minneapolis, Minn., on Oct. 10, 2012. Through all of Jesse's nine months of battling his cancer, he never once let it get him down or ruin his day, even when his family was worried sick. He would just tell them to chill out. He had the biggest smile on his face everyday of his life. He brought life to so many people, and will be greatly missed by many! Jesse never gave up hope, and due to post- transplant complications from developing Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome which weakened his heart. Jesse passed away on Nov. 21, 2012. Jesse boy, you will never know how much we all love you and miss you!!