It’s never easy to bear the news of a lost friend.
On Friday, March 16, GamerNode lost more than that in Jesse Lee Wingert, one of GN’s founding fathers, our former creative director, and the original designer of our fledgling website back in 2005. Without Jesse and his artistic talents, GamerNode may have never come to exist at all.
Jesse was only 18 when he began shaping the look and feel of GamerNode, and he was taken from us far too early, at a mere 25 years old.
- Jesse with the GN crew at E3 2006
Although the current GamerNode staff never had the opportunity to meet Jesse, I can proudly say that I knew and worked with him, and that he was truly one of the good guys in this world. He never had an unkind word to say, and he was dedicated to his work, his friends, and his family. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Below, you can find a few examples of his past work here at GamerNode, in the form of full-page designs from GN history. Our current header still bears, and will continue to feature, elements of Jesse’s last contributions to the website.
Information regarding funeral services can be found at The Sentinel.
Johnclabo
Wow…..just wow. I’m completely speechless right now…..my heart sank when I read that on the front page. Jesse was a great friend and a amazing human being. I will miss him dearly!
~John Clabo
Ryan Maffit
Well said man. Jesse was a amazing friend, designer and business partner and will be greatly missed.
Dan Crabtree
Having not known Jesse, I can only send my deepest condolences to those who did. Thoughts are with his family.
Anthony LaBella
I didn’t know Jesse personally, but my thoughts are with his family and friends.
Dustin Mccorkle
I was shocked when I heard this, I’ve known him forever and we went to school together. I emailed him last week and got no reply. I just found out yesterday.
Mat Paget
I wasn’t with the site for very long, and definitely didn’t know who Jesse was until today, but I give my condolences to the family and friends of this talented man.
Diana (mom)
as far as Jesse goes, he was my son and an amazing youg man with a talent like no other. I am deeply saddened by his loss, but in my heart he will always be with me. Thank you to all of you that beleived in him and gave him the chance to show his talent, I know it was truely the one thing in life he enjoyed doing, it was always his dream to become a well known graphic designer and he would have been the absolute best! I love you Jesse<3
Shannon Wingert
I really appreciate you guys writing all of this for Jesse. As his little sister he always told me about Gamernode and I know personally by being with him when he was working on the website that he was very dedicated to it. We all miss him very much. Thanks guys !
Dell Conagher
:( Just finised Black Mesa and I saw that it was in memory for Jesse Wingert
Shapeqin
same :(
Amjo
I just finished Black Mesa: Uplink… I do not know Jesse Wingert, but I can truly say his works have left a huge impact to the public with his creativity. My condolences to his loved ones.
Hans Peter Ullrich
R.I.P. Jesse Wingert, R.I.P.