Jesse Earl Baekelandt

Jesse Earl Baekelandt, born on August 13, 1975, passed away on May 20, 2024, in Bluffton, South Carolina, at 48 years old.

Jesse was raised and skill-sharpened in Michigan, surrounded by the warmth of a large, hard-working family, and close friends. Eighteen years ago, Jesse fell in love with the South Carolina Lowcountry and Hilton Head Island lifestyle, and made his forever home there. He soon met and married the love of his life, Kelly. Together, they built a beautiful life and cultivated a strong community, with an amazing network of friends who became family.

There were many layers to Jesse. He showed us that it’s possible to be both gentle and fierce, calm and wild, rational and irrational—all before the check came, which he insisted on picking up. He loved hard and was generous to a fault. His life was a testament to the beauty of paradoxes, and the extraordinary richness of life that only an excessive amount of profanity can bring.

Jesse’s presence was undeniably impactful, with stories that will never be forgotten, and memories that are woven in the hearts of all who knew him. “What the Hell, Jesse!?” was a common engrained reaction in all the souls that had the honor of spending a moment with him. “Addicted to chaos”, as was his motto, could be found in his over-the-top antics, his unique choice of words, and his absolute zest for living life on the edge.  His closest friends and family remember his distinct baritone voice and breathless laugh, his sharp wit, and his unwavering commitment to becoming a better man, father, and follower of Christ.

Jesse is survived by his steadfastly patient wife, Kelly; his children, Zachary, Noah, and Lennon; his parents, Michael and Jill Baekelandt; his brother, Matthew (Meredith), and many other family and friends, too many to account for. His presence will be so profoundly missed, the trajectory of all lives that loved him are forever altered, but his spirit will live on in their hearts for all time.

To honor his memory, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Lennon’s education through donations to her 529 fund by check or Venmo @kellybaekelandt

Your generosity will help secure a brighter future for Lennon and continue Jesse’s legacy of caring for his family.