Jesse R. Abbey

Jesse Ray Abbey “Butch” was born on August 21st,1948 to the late Jesse and Dorothy Abbey in
Comanche, Texas. He lived most of his life in the quaint small town of Comanche. It was there
where he grew to love the outdoors, whether it be exploring the woods behind his house with his
bow and arrow or pellet gun, swimming and skiing at Lake Proctor or bringing home a baby
squirrel to raise, Comanche was an important part of his life.

Jesse graduated from Comanche High School in 1966. In November of 1967 at the age of 19
Jesse married Arita Wood (Routh) and was then drafted in May of 1968 and served 2 years in
Washington D.C. during the Vietnam War. Not long after the war he moved to west Texas with
his wife Arita to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Business from UTPB. He earned the new title
of dad during this chapter of his life with his son Brian and then again four years later with his
daughter Keri.

Jesse had a quiet and strong love for his family. He loved his children and grandchildren
beyond measure. Jesse had an incredible talent for creating and building anything he set his
heart to. He had a love for old classic cars and music. He learned to play the guitar as a
teenager and this fueled his admiration for artists from Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley,
Dwight Yoakum, George Strait to the Beach Boys and the Beatles.
Jesse was adventurous and had jobs from owning a carpet cleaning business, a sign company
and general manager of several businesses. His brilliance for numbers allowed him to spend
most of his professional life as an accountant for various oil companies and businesses in
Midland and the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Jesse was fearless and never shied away from
challenges.

After a long and difficult battle with heart issues Jesse Ray Abbey passed away at his home on
January 10th, 2023 in Comanche, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Frank
and Dorothy Junia Abbey of Comanche, Texas and Sonny Dennis of Ft. Worth. He leaves
behind his two children, Brian Abbey of Los Angeles, California and Keri Irvin (husband Jack) of
Hunt, Texas, three grandchildren, Aiden, Brock and Sophia Irvin of Hunt, Texas, his sister
Wanda Denman and husband Paul of New Braunfels, Texas and several nieces and cousins.
Jesse will never be forgotten and will live on in all who were fortunate to know him.

If you wish to make a donation in honor of Jesse, please consider the American Heart
Association.
A memorial service for Jesse Abbey will be held at the chapel in the Comanche Funeral Home
at 2pm in Comanche, Texas on Friday, January 20th, 2023.