Jesse Merrill McGee, age 89, passed away on August 4, 2026, at home in Spanish Fork, Utah. He was born January 22, 1937, in Fruitland, New Mexico. The son of Harvey Leo McGee and Matilda Burnham McGee. He has five brothers and two sisters. The family moved to Pleasant Grove, Utah in 1940. They lived in Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, and Orem, Utah. Jesse graduated from Lincoln High School in Orem in 1955.
Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. He completed basic training in Fort Carson, Colorado, and then at Fort Lewis, Washington. His final assignment was Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was honorably discharged from the Army on October 31, 1957. In January 1958, he was called on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the Northern States Mission. The Mission home was located in Chicago, Illinois. He returned home in January 1960.
In September 1960, he met DeAnna Sedwick from Powell, Wyoming at Brigham Young University. They dated and then were married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 29, 1961. They made their first home in Orem, Utah. The couple moved to Spanish Fork in 1971, where they have resided for 55 years. They have been married for 65 years.
Jesse was first employed by the United States Postal Service. Then, in 1966, he bought a small rubber-stamp business to make stamps in the basement of his home part-time. In 1969, he left the post office to operate the stamp business full-time – first in Provo and then later in Orem, where the business is still operating today, 60 years later. There is also a store in Midvale and one in American Fork, Utah.
Jesse was named Businessman of the Year by the Orem Chamber of Commerce. He worked very hard to make the business a success. All of his family worked in the business at one time to help it succeed. Jesse enjoyed hunting, hiking, golf, and he was a certified diver. But his ultimate passion was running. He completed over 40 marathons, with 22 being consecutive St. George marathons. At different times, several of his adult children ran with him.
He ran the Boston Marathon twice, New York once, Tahiti twice, plus a few others around the Western United States. He enjoyed many running friends.
He had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and served in many church callings. He enjoyed being a financial clerk to several bishops and taught the gospel doctrine class for 20 years. He and DeAnna also enjoyed their calling as stake baptismal directors working with eight-year-old children. In 2002, the couple served a Senior Mission together at the Mormon Handcart Historic Sites Mission in Wyoming. In 2004 they served at the Heber Valley Youth Camp in Heber, Utah.
Jesse is survived by his wife, DeAnna and children, Korey (Paula) McGee, Kirt (Lynda) McGee, Rachelle Ferrin, Kyle (Wendy) McGee, Kreg McGee, Klint (Kenna) McGee, JaNae (Kyle) Harrison and Melinda McGee. He has 24 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his brother Joseph (Ladawn) McGee, sister Carol (Shirl) Ferre, and sister-in-law Dody McGee.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Spanish Fork Oakridge Church 3477 East River Bottoms Road. Starting at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery with Military Honors.
No viewing will be held.
Special thanks to Utah Home Health & Hospice for the loving care and kindness given to Jesse.
Hallie, Brittany, Kori, & McCall. We love you and appreciate all you did for Dad.
5 Condolences for Jesse Merrill McGee
Condolences(5)
Sara Cole says
August 6, 2026 at 4:46 pmI’m so very sorry for your loss. He will be missed. He has truly made an impact in my life and the lives of those around him.
Duane & Kathleen Koyle says
August 7, 2026 at 3:00 amDeanna and family, we are sorry for the loss of your wonderful Jesse. We always loved (and still do!) your whole family. What an amazing man with a huge heart and ready smile! He will be missed!
Love, Duane and Kathleen Koyle
Duane & Kathleen Koyle says
August 7, 2026 at 3:02 amDeanna and family, we are sorry for the loss of your wonderful Jesse. We always loved your whole family. What an amazing man with a huge heart and ready smile! He will be missed!
Love, Duane and Kathleen Koyle
Freddy Melgar says
August 8, 2026 at 5:10 pmMy deepest condolences to the McGee family, my heart goes out to all of you. Jesse was an outstanding and truly inspiring man. He’s left a lasting impression on me, and so many others. I’m grateful to have had the honor of knowing him and to have worked in his shop. May he rest peacefully, and always be loved and remembered.
LaVerl Dumas (Dean) says
August 8, 2026 at 6:31 pmMy thoughts and prayers to the Mcgee family some I know but after watching the service I feel like I know each of you now. I met Jesse in the mid 1980’s I went to work for a supplier they used. At first it was Jesse who would come in, then more often than not it would be Korey. Over the many years I was there I became pretty close to Korey, but every now and then Jesse would pop in. I remember my face would be one big smile I so enjoyed seeing him and hearing his stories. I would always start our greeting with well you ready to sale that company? And he would say make me an offer. I would always offer him five bucks down and five bucks a week. We would both have a chuckle and have a nice visit. I always made sure I had five bucks in my wallet just incase. While I was working at a store in Spanish fork Jesse and his wife came in to buy a microwave theirs went out. I left my area and walked with them helped them get the one they liked. That was the kind of service I knew he gave his customers and that was the kind he deserved. Later at the same place I met Kreg he had Lily with him she was may about eight, what a wonderful family I am so proud to have not only known Jesse but to have walked this Earth with him. God Bless him and his family.
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