Cumberland, Maryland - Jesse Dalton Sommerlatt, 42, of Cumberland, Md., passed away Sunday, July 6, 2025 at his home.

Born May 6, 1983, in Cumberland, Md., Jesse is survived by his mother and stepfather, Peggy and Rob Verner; his brother and sister-in-law, Darrell II and Amy Sommerlatt, and their children, Skyler and Hazel; his partner, Erica Williams, and daughter, Brighton Beachy. He was preceded in death by his brother, Carson Sommerlatt, and his father, Darrell Sommerlatt.

Jesse completed his undergraduate degree in photography at RIT in Rochester, N.Y. He went on to study herbal medicine and spent two years studying at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. He studied so many subjects independently it's hard to list them all.

To say there is no one else like Jesse would be a spectacular understatement. There was never a kind gesture he let pass, an adventure he didn't take, or a sock he cared to match. Jesse was a soul overflowing with interminable passion and creativity. Jesse's breadth of knowledge was the result of his seemingly endless interests in botany, art, music, philosophy, psychology, entomology, political and economic affairs, outdoor activities, travel, and especially working in his garden. He was an especially interested, and interesting, person. All those who met Jesse were treated to a man who was kind, gentle, tender, thoughtful, and considerate—always ready to help anyone, whether a new acquaintance or an old friend.

Jesse was tenaciously loyal and often put the needs and concerns of others before his own. He was the kind of man to check on a family that wasn't his, he would go out of his way to help strangers, he had an ability to make people feel seen and heard. This inspired vulnerability in people that saved their lives. He was willing to sacrifice anything he could to bring love and support to anyone who needed it, even as he battled with his own demons. He was a healer.

Jesse faced many difficult struggles during his life. His staunch refusal to give up and quit trying is something to be admired and to aspire to.

Without context, there will never be a way to truly encapsulate the beauty of this man's heart and soul. It is the gift he gave everyone who was ever lucky enough to know him. Jesse's light was so bright, it has left a profound mark on us all. Jesse was intensely loved and precious to us. He was magic in human form. His loss will deeply reverberate among all those who knew and loved him. The gifts of love, laughter, understanding, patience and acceptance he shared with all those who were fortunate enough to know him is a wonderful gift that is theirs forever.

Friends will be received at the Adams Family Funeral Home, P.A., 404 Decatur Street, Cumberland, MD, on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A memorial service will be conducted at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Greater Cumberland 211 S Lee St, Cumberland, MD 21502 on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Family Crisis Resource Center, Inc. 146 Bedford St #1, Cumberland, MD 21502: http://www.cuw.org/content/don