Obituary of Jesse A. Moorefield

Jesse A. Moorefield, age 36, passed away of diabetic ketoacidosis on October 7, 2018, in Seattle, Washington.  He was born January 30, 1982, to Lisa M. (Langston) Moorefield and Bruce A. Moorefield at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince Georges County, Maryland.  A 24-year resident of Olympia, Washington, Jesse also lived in suburban Washington D.C. (1982-1989), and Kilmarnock and Whitestone, Virginia (1989-1994).  By agreement and request of his parents, he was raised primarily by his aunt and legal guardian, Linda M. Langston, of Olympia, to afford him better access to educational, medical, and mental health treatment resources.

 

Jesse struggled for most of his life with acute episodes of bipolar disorder and depression, and, in recent years, with managing the complications of Type 1 Diabetes.  Despite those difficulties and the pressures they imposed, he had a kind heart, a good and quirky sense of humor, and a confirmed belief in the value of looking for and defending the good in everyone.

 

Jesse loved all things music-related. He specialized in synthesizer compositions and production; played the piano, trombone, saxophone, guitar, and drums; and enjoyed freelancing as a DJ.  His musical interests were thoroughly alternative, and among his favorite bands were “Deadsy,” “The Pixies,” and “Birthday Massacre.”  But he rarely shared with his friends his fondness for the jazz performers of the 1950s and 1960s, especially pianist Bill Evans and his interpretation of “Young and Foolish,” an interest he may have gained from his maternal grandfather and his aunt who were confirmed jazz aficionados.  When he had an opportunity, he loved to jam with his aunt, Miriam Caro of Tacoma, an accomplished classical and flamenco guitarist. 

 

Jesse was an avid reader across the spectrum of literature, politics, modern and ancient history, religion, and the occult.  Among his favorite works of literature were Dante’s “Divine Comedy” and Arthur Miller’s play, “The Crucible.”  He was passionate about politics and social injustice, fascinated by conspiracy theories, and he was always up for a good debate about the proper role of government.

 

Jesse was fervent about telling people what he considered to be the truth about world events.  In spite of his vigorous opposition to what he saw as violations of human rights and individual liberties, he had a very wry sense of humor, and a heightened awareness of what he called “the ironies and contradictions of everything around us.”

 

He loved the comedian, Robin Williams, and when he was in middle school, he enjoyed regaling his aunt with impersonations of famous characters and personality types, his favorite being his “Valley Girl” impersonation, which he delivered with pitch-perfect intonation!

 

Jesse once wrote down for his aunt one of his favorite quotes from the words of an Anglican vicar, J.B. Phillips: “Perhaps we should be looking not for detailed answers to our many questions, but the authoritative statement of the principles which govern life beneath the ebb and flow of human circumstance.”  Toward the end of his life, he had begun to draw closer to Buddhist philosophies and beliefs.

 

He was a complicated young man, always a seeker in search of answers and an understanding of the world around him, and he will live on forever in the hearts and memories of his family.

 

Jesse was born into a large Catholic family with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Among his most immediate family, he is survived by his son, Robin Korrie Moorefield; his cousin/”surrogate sister,” Amanda McMullen of Charlotte, North Carolina, to whom he was devoted; his aunt, Linda M. Langston of Olympia; his mother, Lisa M. Christian of Olympia; his aunt, Miriam E. Caro of Tacoma; his aunt, Laura M. Langston of Pensacola, Florida; his uncle, John D. Langston of Pensacola, Florida; his uncle, William M. Langston of Mineral Springs, Arkansas; and cousins, J.D. Langston, Jr. of Washington, D.C., Amber Lynn Langston of LaPlata, Maryland, and James M. Langston of Foley, Alabama.  He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, William D. and Marion M. Langston; and paternal grandparents, Col. Jesse Price Moorefield and Virginia Moorefield.

 

 

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