Jesse Allen Jasper

Think of the term “Solid as a Rock” and Jasper comes to mind, and of that Jesse Jasper being the strongest of all. Husband, father of six, grandpa of 16, great-grandpa of two, favorite uncle, little brother and friend to everyone.

Jesse Allen Jasper, 71, of Newport, Wash., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. He was born April 18, 1941, to (Charles) Franklin “Frank” and Elizabeth Marie (Johnson) Jasper in Donnelly, Idaho, the youngest of 11 children. The family moved to Grand Coulee, Wash., in 1946, where he graduated from high school in 1959. After graduation, Jesse worked in a sawmill then as a cement finisher.

On January 2, 1960, Jesse married Mary Patricia “Pat” Rouse, his wife of 52 years. In 1963, they moved to Spokane where Jesse worked as an ironworker. Over the next 14 years he worked with the Ironworkers Local 14 and their apprenticeship program. In 1974, he started at Spokane Community College where he taught for 27 years as a welding instructor, receiving numerous awards and certificates. In 1981, Jesse and his beloved wife moved to their property on the Pend Oreille River, Newport, Wash. In 2001, Jesse retired as the head of the welding department. Jesse loved his family; he enjoyed spending summers with his wife, their children, grandchildren and friends in Newport, and winter months in Yuma, Ariz.

Jesse lived his life to the fullest and he was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman.

Jesse is preceded in death by his parents and brother: Wilson “Bill”, Morris, Robert “Bob”, John, Richard “Rick” and Jack; sisters Mary “Jo Anne” and Ruth.

He is survived by his wife Pat; sons Chris (Debbi) of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Kevin (Donna) of Spokane; daughters Teresa of Spokane, Karen Faggioli (Michael Hewitt) of Post Falls, Idaho, Patty Rollins of Belgrade, Mont., and Cathy (Troy) Talkington of Battle Ground, Wash. Surviving siblings are Norman (Flo) of Kamiah, Idaho, and Cynthia “Jean” (Jerry) Porter of Spokane; as well as 16 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Jesse was the foundation of his family and from Revelations 21:19… And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was JASPER…

In lieu of flowers, family is requesting that donations be made to STCU (stcu.org) in Jesse’s name for Pend Oreille youth hunter education and firearm safety.