On Sunday, May 8th Jesse Lennon Gooch, 40, formerly of Bemidji, MN, passed away in Central Virginia where he’d been living for the last 6 years. Jesse was incredibly bright and was a very talented writer. He had recently attended college in Virginia where he’d earned a place on the Dean’s List. He was an artistic soul who enjoyed music, poetry, literature and was an insatiable reader and lover of film. In recent years Jesse spent time customizing and riding his motorcycle and beekeeping with his father, working as a farmhand, custom metalworker, and neighborhood handyman. He had a passion for cooking great meals, eating BBQ, and was famous for his rib-cracking bear hugs. He was a strong supporter and activist for prison reform and inmate advocacy and spent a great deal of his personal time advocating for those in need. Jesse was a fierce friend with a great sense of humor and a razor sharp wit to match; a deeply loving person who truly cared for and was very proud of his many friends and family. A memorial service is scheduled for this Fall in Palmyra, VA on October the 1st. Please contact the family for details at JesseGoochMemorial@gmail.com The family would like to thank everyone for the kind words of support, prayers, and love in this most difficult time. We are deeply grateful for all of you who have shown such love and compassion to Jesse over the years. Thank you for being a part of his life. If you would like to make a donation, the family requests that you support Justice Forward Virginia at: https://donorbox.org/justiceforwardva