Jesse Abram Harl

Jesse Abram Harl, 31, died July 12, 2012 near Fairfield, Iowa as a result of a swimming accident.

Jesse was born October 29, 1980 in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was the son of Richard G. (Rick) and Jane Anne (LaPaglia) Harl, and the brother of Christopher S. Harl. His grandparents are Doris and P. J. LaPaglia (deceased) and Robert and Doris Harl (both deceased).

In his short life Jesse accomplished many things, but what he was most proud of were his children. Throughout his various adventures in life what remained constant was his love for them. Drake James Harl (age 10) is the son of Jesse Harl and Emily Nicholson of Ottumwa. Madalyn Dessamarie Harl (age 5) is the daughter of Jesse Harl and Justine Davis of Ottumwa. Jesse's children were paramount in his life as he was in theirs.

Jesse attended school in Centerville until moving to Fairfield where he completed junior high and high school (Class of 1999). He went on to receive his Associates Degree in Auto Mechanics from Indian Hills.

He had many skills and in the past few years worked for Drish Construction of Fairfield, Iowa and Golden Eagle Distributors of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He had recently started Flying H Construction, which was going very well for him. Jesse was looking forward to a bright future as a carpenter, a trait he acquired from his grandfather, P. J.

Jesse was a natural athlete. He was a great football, basketball, and baseball player during junior high and high school. But it was High School Rodeo which fulfilled his mother's dreams by taking her all over the state and to Wyoming for High School Rodeo Events. Through his rodeo career he and his mother acquired many rodeo family and friends. An association she hopes to be able to continue through the rest of her life. He was a team roper, successful at both ends (as a header and a heeler). He played around at calf roping on a few occasions. He had continued roping until this past year but had planned to get back into it soon. Dakota Joe, his devoted heeling horse, remains on the farm for his children, along with his dog, Diablo.

At the time of his death, Jesse was engaged to Hopi James of Fairfield, Iowa.

Jesse will be remembered as a free spirit and a loving father. He will be deeply missed by his parents, brother, children, family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 19, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield with Father Stephen C. Page officiating. Burial will take place in the Centerville Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church, with Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.