Jerry Essex

An Amazing Ride
The Life and Legacy of JoVaughn (Jay) Essex

On May 4, 1988, in Denver, Colorado, an amazing adventure began as Jerry JoVaughn Essex was welcomed into the world. JoVaughn, as he was called by all that loved and knew him early in his journey, was born and entrusted into the care of his mother, Joszette and his biological father, Jerry. Weighing a whopping 8 pounds, 4 ounces, JoVaughn was a happy, healthy and hefty bundle of joy with a smile that captured the hearts of all who saw him instantly. JoVaughn grew up surrounded by the love of his family which included his younger brother, DeJae, and his baby sister, DaChaleyce. The three had an inseparable bond. He was also blessed to be surrounded by the love of his cousins, who were more like siblings, as they grew up so close. It was sure to be good times anytime they all got together.

As a young child, his mother remembers him as being a lively, funny, very happy young man that had lots of love to share with those he loved. JoVaughn liked to crack jokes and be the life and light in the room. He was generous even as a youngster- Always willing to help when and where he was able. JoVaughn took heed to his lessons in life, never getting in trouble twice for the same thing.

JoVaughn began his formal education at the age of 3 at Headstart, he then attended Gilpin Elementary School. JoVaughn did not always like school, but he was a good student with a love for social studies, science, and especially art. During his elementary school years, JoVaughn also attend afterschool programing and participated in summer camps at Home of Neighborly Services (HNS). It was during his time at HNS that JoVaughn met a teacher who worked in the afterschool program by the name of Brian Tarver. The two took to each other immediately, and he became the father in JoVaughn's life who would help him grow and develop into the man that he became. In the spring of 1999, JoVaughn continuated from 5th grade, and would go on to attend Gove Middle School. There he began to delve more into his academics and studies, joining the Gove Middle School band on the alto saxophone. He also played for the Gove flag football team, baseball team, and was active in many other school-wide events. It was also during this time that JoVaughn began exploring his love for basketball, a love that would sustain for the rest of his life.

In the fall of 2002, JoVaughn attended Overland High School for his freshman year, transferring to George Washington High School the following fall where he would complete his sophomore year. While at both schools, JoVaughn was a member of the freshman and sophomore basketball teams and junior varsity football teams. In the fall of his junior year, JoVaughn attended CCI Charter School where he would complete the remainder of his high school journey. Again, through CCI, JoVaughn found more than just a school, he found a community of teachers, staff and students who adored him. His principal remembers him being one of the upperclassmen who stood out among all the "bad butts", and that carried himself with as a gentlemen, leader and role model for others that he knew might be watching him. He played his senior year for the South High School Rebels basketball team, serving as team captain and receiving his letter for his strong athletic ability. In the spring of 2006, JoVaughn would graduate, receiving his diploma, and reaching a goal that he didn't always believe he would accomplish. This was a major milestone in his life and also in the lives of his family.

After high school, JoVaughn attended Colorado Christian University for a year and was able to try out for the basketball team. He made the tryouts, but later decided that he wanted to explore a different path. JoVaughn worked for Denver Public Schools as a member of the facilities team at Merrill Middle School. As was natural for him, JoVaughn captured the hearts of staff members and would come home with all sorts of gifts and little presents from staff who wanted to show their appreciation for his hard work, dedication and friendliness. While on the job, he learned various trades that would later serve a greater purpose in his life.

In the fall of 2008, JoVaughn enrolled at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. While there, he played for the Bethany College basketball team as a walk-on. Continuing to find his way, he made the painful decision to put his basketball ambitions on hold to further explore other possibilities for his life and made his way back home to Denver. Upon his arrival home, he secured a job at the high school that he had graduated from only two years prior, as student mentor. JoVaughn knew the importance of what it meant to give back to his community and had a very special way of being able to connect with every student, no matter what grade or age they might have been. In the summer of 2009, JoVaughn and his best friend Manual Honeycutt decided to launch a small business cutting grass and doing odd jobs for their customers. Through their bond of friendship, Paradise Landscaping and Lawn Service was formed. The two would remain bosom buddies until Manual's unfortunate passing in 2010.

From birth, JoVaughn's steps had been ordered by the Lord. In December of 1999, at the age of 11, JoVaughn gave his life to Christ, professing his love for the Lord and being baptized under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Frank M. Davis at Zion Baptist Church. During his time at Zion, JoVaughn sang in the Sanctuary Choir, Male Chorus, played the drums, and inspired a number of his family members to also come to Christ. In 2006, JoVaughn left Zion to attend King Baptist Church and became a member under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Terrence E. Hendricks. During his time at King Baptist, JoVaughn played the drums from time to time for the mass choir and youth choir. In 2018, JoVaughn joined Zion Temple Pentecostal Church, under the pastoral leadership of Bishop Robert E. Martin Jr. He rededicated his life to the Lord and was re-baptized in his plight to establish a closer walk with the Lord. His faith, trust and belief in God was the source of his amazing strength, resilience and perseverance that kept him pushing in spite of the blows life would deal him. JoVaughn was a praying man and truly understood what it meant to walk by faith and not by sight! Whenever talking about a tough situation he was facing, no matter how dire the cirumstances, JoVaughn would always end his words proclaiming, "...but God's got me!" Throughout his spiritual walk, regardless of what odds were against him, JoVaughn never lost his faith in God!

In 2009, JoVaughn reconnected with his childhood friend and high school sweetheart, Leola Marsh. Their nicknames for each other were "Kunta" and "Bunther". Soon into their young adult years they were blessed with the greatest gift of life, Leolani JoVaugn Essex, Jay's carbon copy in the flesh, his only son, Daddy's SonShine. 3 years later, Laleigh Jae Essex, his only daughter, his pride and joy, would make her entrance into their lives. Jay would melt into the palm of her hand. She was his only daughter and Daddy's baby girl. JoVaughn's children were his motivation, his true passion and sole purpose for striving to be the very best that he could be to make them proud. As a family, life was everything they could have ever imagined. Being parents was never always easy, but it was the most rewarding blessing in their lives. They took great pride in being parents, and nothing came before that. Family was their foundation and the love they had kept them close. Over the years, they enjoyed celebrating holidays, traveling and sharing in new experiences with each other. Some of the adventures were water rafting, gun ranges, participating in events such as the Rugged Maniac competition, and date nights listening to live music. Although their paths would separate, they remained close co-parents and close friends.

JoVaughn enjoyed various hobbies and participated in various activities throughout his very short time on Earth. JoVaughn was an avid music lover and spent time helping to compose rap songs with his older cousins when he was younger. He also loved playing the drums. So much in fact that his Skinny Grandma rushed out to make sure that he had a set just so he'd be able to practice at home. JoVaughn participated in little league football with Prince Hall and summer basketball with the Colorado Hawks. He competed in basketball tournaments all across Denver, and even traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada for basketball tournaments. He ran summer track and field with the Mile-High Heat Track club, where he threw the shot put, discus, and ran on the 4×100 meter relay team. He placed in the top 3 during city, state and regional meets and even traveled to El Paso, Texas, Provo, Utah and Phoenix, Arizona to compete against other athletes from around the country. JoVaughn truly loved art and had recently been getting back into this craft. He has created many beautiful masterpieces displayed on the walls of many relatives' houses. He would always send text message images of the progress he was making on various pieces and his finished products for his family to see. In his final years, JoVaughn had developed a love for motorcycles building on a lifelong fascination he'd had for bikes if all kinds. His family can remember how much he burst with pride after saving up to purchase his very first bike. JoVaughn became a strong rider, even helping to teach others how to ride their own bikes with confidence and without fear. His cousin, KaSacha and many others, will always remember the wise words of advice that he gave as motivation and encouragement, "Ride to ride another day!" Many of his neighbors have given witness to how attentive and particular he was in keeping his bike in tip top shape and have said how much they will miss seeing him washing his bike in front of his home on weekends.

On the evening of June 3, 2020, JoVaughn was called from his earthly labor to his eternal reward. He is preceded in death by his great-grandmothers, Mary Lee Carter, Katheryne McKinney, Joycene Tarver; great-grandfather Willie James Tarver; his Aunt Dorothy David, his uncle Billy Carter, his cousin Elte Gaines, Justin McKinney, and his best friend, Manuel Honeycutt.

JoVaughn is survived by his mother, Joszette Gaines of Atlanta, Georgia; fathers, Brian Tarver and Jerry Essex both of Denver, Colorado; His children, Leolani JoVaughn Essex and Laleigh Jae Essex both of Denver, Colorado; His brothers, DeJae Booker, Chris Sims, DeAngelo Craig, TC, Turtle, Jaba and Rayvon Fox all of Denver, Colorado; Ira Mitchell of Los Angeles, California; Parris Essex of Dallas, Texas; and Jamiroquaie Essix or Cleveland, Ohio; His Sisters, DaChaleyce Wilson of Atlanta, Georgia and Ebonie Essex of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Aunts, Delissa Gaines, Chanda (Terry) Jones, Nichelle (Reginald) Hammons all of Denver, Colorado; Zena Essex of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Crystal Baker or Lancaster, California; Tamera Gibbs of Daytona Beach, Florida; Candy Frazier, Ebony Frazier, Iesha Frazier all of Savannah, Georgia; Uncles, Walter Minter of Denver, Colorado; Julius Frazier, Terrell Frazier, Kevin Ward, Javon Adger, and Maurice Frazier all of Savannah, Georgia; Great Aunt, Corliss Smith of Denver, Colorado; Grandparents, Mary Givan, Laurence and Deborah Tarver all of Denver, Colorado; Julius Frazier of Savannah, Georgia; Patricia Essex of Lancaster, California and McKinley Essex of Seattle, Washington; a host of additional brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family, god-children, and a multitude of friends.

We were all shocked and in disbelief when JoVaughn was suddenly and unexpectedly taken from us. However, we take great joy in knowing that during JoVaughn's 32 years of life, he lived a life full of purpose; that he lived a life full of love; that he lived a life full of laughter; that he touched the lives of all those he came in contact with; that he left his imprint on the world; and that he died doing one of the things he loved best, riding his motorcycle. While his ride on Earth has come to an end, we rest assured that he now resides in heaven, has been reunited with family and friends gone on before, and is burning rubber on streets of gold. Thank you JoVaughn, aka Jerry, aka Jaybo, aka Jay, aka Busa Baby, for giving us the ride of our lives. And what an amazing ride it has been! You are and will remain forever in our hearts!

Visitation : June 16, 2020 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace
6601 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 996-0869

Private Cremation :

Pipkin Braswell
6601 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80220