Jesse Ross Beardsley

“Life is a journey.

Death is the continuation of the journey.

Heaven is a temporary rest.

For the commencement and fulfilment

Of a new life, a new hope

And a new promise”

Sri Chinmoy

Denise Randall Miller

MRHS Class of ’76

I am very sorry to hear of Jesse’s passing. He was someone who I was happy to call my friend in High School.

Jesse, never had the pleasure of meeting you in person but spoke to you on the phone. Thanks for your help when needed. “Rest In Peace”

I am very sorry to hear of Jesse’s passing. I am a good friend of Sandie Howley, who was Jesse’s partner for over 13 years. Sandie frequently spoke about Jesse’s intelligence and great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. Sandie loved him very much and it is a devastating loss for her, along with their two dogs Radar and Ruby.

Jesse,

Through your long loving relationship with Sandie, you became my friend. I will always treasure our three way conversations, our shared sense of humor and more than anything your lovely duet with Sandie when you called to sing Happy Birthday. I think of you and smile through my tears.

Remember that my thoughts are with you thru this troubling time. You may feel that there is nothing that you need, however, be assured that even the littlest thing can seem gigantic right now and we are here to help in any way that we can. The little things that you don’t think about and just do every day like getting the mail,taking out the garbage, laundry, cooking, groceries, cleaning up.flushing the toilet, and taking a shower oops, can’t help with that. If you just need someone to lend an ear we’re here for that too. Take care and we’ll talk to you soon. Love, Michele & family

I am Sandie Howley’s brother. Jesse and my sister were companions for over 13 years. I have known Jesse since before the two of them dated. He started out as “the guy who lived downstairs” from my sister. I live in Michigan and have traveled several times to see my sister and Jesse was always present. He was always a gracious and funny host and always took time to show me things he was interested in. One thing that wasn’t fully covered during the funeral service was that Jesse always had a smile on his face and joke coming out of his mouth.

Jesse introduced me to several experiences I will not forget. One time we went fishing on the Columbia River with him on his boat where we caught 3 foot 11inch Sturgeon which we had to throw back because they were too small4-feet was the minimum! Until then, the best I had done was a 15” lake trout!

He took me to the Boeing museum where he told me about many of the classic aircraft on display. While walking through the President Kennedy Air Force One exhibit, he made sure to take me to the back of the plane to show me “Jackie sat there” :-

I’ve visited Reno and Vegas with Jesse, we’ve spent many a late night playing blackjack sitting next to each other. Sometimes losing, sometimes winning but mostly just hanging out and having fun. We’ve seen a couple of Vegas shows and helped empty out a few buffets!

I can remember the fun Jesse and Sandie and I had while shooting off fireworks on the 4th of July one year. This was special to me since in Michigan they’ve been banned as long as I can remember, shooting roman candles and bottle rockets was fun for all!

When I’d call my sister, he would always have a joke to be heard coming out of the other room, sometimes making it hard to concentrate on my conversation with Sandie!

After the Saturday visitation, Sandie, my mother and I devoted the day to remembering Jesse. We visited places Jesse loved. We started by going to one of his old haunts–the 13 Coins restaurant near SeaTac Airport. Later, we went to the Muckleshoot Casino. Jesse, Sandie and I were there together about a year ago and if I recall correctly, we took away a few bucks. We ate at the casino restaurant and ordered one of Jesse’s favorites from their menu- the 16 oz. T-bone Steak.

Jesse was loved by many and will long be remembered by me for exposing me to experiences I would not have had otherwise. He will be missed.

I was shocked to see Jesse on Mount Rainier High School’s Memorial page on Facebook. My sincere condolences to his family.

I knew Jesse in High School. I graduated in 1977, so he was a year younger than me. We actually dated briefly and I have never forgotten him. He was so intelligent, and one of the sweetest men I have ever known – and so handsome, I was smitten. Ahhhh…the high school years.

My husband, Les, passed away from sudden heart failure on Oct 6, 2006, just two months prior to Jesse passing. We were in Las Vegas preparing to sign papers the following day to buy a house and begin a new life there, when he died right in front of me. It turned my world upside down.

I don’t know what happened to Jesse to lose him at such a young age. My heart goes out to his partner, for her pain and loss. Time heals the pain, but the feeling of loss remains.

I hope this post wasn’t too personal, but, well, life IS personal, isn’t it?

God bless.

Rita