Jesse A. Waite

1969 - 2021

Jesse A. Waite, 51, of Altoona, died at 12:55 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at UPMC Altoona after a brief illness.
He was born in Philadelphia on Sept. 4, 1969, son of the late Eric and Ladonna (Dorko) Waite.
Jesse was a graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School and Hiram G. Andrews Center, Johnstown.
He was a member of the Center for Independent Living. He was a volunteer at Altoona Community Theatre and Altoona Library. Skilled at karate and juggling, a magician and a yo-yo master, Jesse always wanted to entertain. Generous, Jesse kept the Eleventh Street Towers in magazine subscriptions.
He had a giant heart and was ready to help and ready with a joke to catch your smile. An inquiring mind, he enjoyed sharing the "facts" and details of TV shows and world wonders. He had a passion for Vincent Price classics, and was enriched on his trips to Los Angeles, where he reveled in behind-the-scenes magic when touring the Universal Studios back-lot sets. He will be missed by his family and community.
Jesse is survived by three siblings, James Waite of Punxsutawney, Cheryl Holmes of Lebanon and Whitney Basinger of Treasure Lake, DuBois; aunt Laurel L. Ross of North Hollywood, California; five aunts and uncles; and nine cousins.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Contributions in memory of Jesse may be made to the Jesse Waite Memorial at the Center for Independent Living of South Central Pennsylvania, 3013 Beale Ave., Suite B102, Altoona.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no visitation or services.
Arrangements are by Jones Funeral Home, 1222 13th Ave., Altoona.