This is from Nikki Jones, Jesse’s daughter –
The Memorial Service for Jesse Jones will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday August 17th 2014 at The Bridge Church 38801 Calistoga Dr. in Murrieta, California.
This is a change of date as originally announced…
It is with great sadness we announced that Jesse Jones, 9th dan and former USJA President passed away yesterday in his sleep at home in Murrieta, California. He was 77 years old and served proudly in the US Marine Corps. Jesse had just completed a big weekend of judo, the sport he loved the most, winding up the final details of another successful the California State Games
As the Sensei and founder of Unidos Judo, a top 10 USJA club, Jesse initiated and implemented judo programs at Southwestern College and several schools in the San Diego area. He has trained and inspired thousands of judoka over his 55 years in judo. Most recently, Jesse was honored when he received the USJA’s Coach of the Year Award for 2013, last February.
Funeral arrangements are pending, but at last word it will be held on August 9 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Temecula, California. More details will be forthcoming.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jesse’s family and his students at this time. The American Judo Community has lost a wonderful, kind leader and gentleman who will be missed by many. For me personally, he was both a close friend and a trusted adviser who navigated our organization back to life from the brink of bankruptcy.
Thanks Jesse and rest in peace.
Gary Goltz, USJA President