Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Eldon Jesse Obituary
May 17, 1949 - May 15, 2020
Eldon Jesse, husband, father, big city detective, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2020 in San Francisco, California. Eldon was born on his family farm in Banks, Oregon in 1949. After attending Jesuit High School in Portland, Eldon studied economics at Santa Clara University, where he made many lifelong friends. He was drafted into the United States' Army in 1971, seeing no action and, thankfully, with only one tattoo to show for it. In 1972, Eldon moved to San Francisco, where he realized that he was in no way cut out for an office job. He started up his detective agency soon thereafter. In 1986, he met the love of his life, Ann Marie. They married in 1990 and had three children - Alana, Erika, and Brian.
An active member of St. Brendan's Church, Eldon was a man of strong, unwavering faith. At 6'3", he truly believed "blessed are the meek." He loved animals, and would go out of his way to protect any and all living creatures from harm. He believed in turning the other cheek, in helping those less fortunate, and he avidly supported causes that sought to provide everyone with a fair shot at a good life. Eldon was a man of great integrity, humility, and thoughtfulness. He was extremely well-read, had a biting wit, and a captivating storyteller. He ran his detective agency out of his family home, giving him the opportunity to moonlight as a stay at home father. In his 50's, he became patiently dedicated to coaching youth basketball. In his 60's, he fell in love with rap music, and could often be heard washing the car to Kendrick Lamar. He spent much of his free time giving back to the community, either by volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul's soup kitchen, at a women's shelter, or by driving neighbors to the airport. He loved reading obituaries for their forced brevities. I hope he would have appreciated this one.
Eldon is preceded in death by his mother Henrietta, father Archie, and brother Darrell. He is survived by his wife Ann Marie, his daughters Alana and Erika, his son Brian, his sister Myrna, and his cat Garibaldi. We are so lucky to have loved Eldon and to have felt his love.
The family will be having a private service. A celebration of Eldon's life will be planned for a future date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Eldon Jesse
Sponsored by Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City.
Markl Brown
May 30, 2024
Miss you like crazy!!!!
Markl Brown
May 23, 2022
My continued sympathy for the loss of a great man and mentor. He was such a generous human being! Never to be forgotten!
Dave Cozzens & Chris Soderberg
November 23, 2020
Ann Marie, Alana, Erika and Brian, you have been so much in our hearts and minds the last several months. This coming Thanksgiving holiday really brings to the surface all of the great memories we have shared with all of you. For Chris, her history is much longer, although I feel that I've know you all a long time. We will miss Eldon's smile, laugh, mannerisms, caring way, and his overall presence and persona. We will cherish the times and memories and we'll certainly be reminiscing every toast, photo, and roll of the dice for LRC! Love you all, Chris & Dave
Carol Callaghan
May 31, 2020
just heard of Eldon's passing. I am so sorry for your loss, Anne Marie. I am sure that you and your children have many fond memories of the wonderful times you spent together. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Carol Callaghan
Mike McGreevy
May 30, 2020
Eldon was a great guy and much loved and admired by me and other Santa Clara classmates.
Jessica
May 29, 2020
To the family, friends and colleagues of Eldon:
I send to you my condolences in this trying time. Over the years in my profession our company hired Eldon many, many times. Although I had no personal relationship with him, only professional, I do want to say that he was always kind, trustworthy, efficient and pleasant. He was very thorough and honest with his work, and I have no doubt his character was strong in other avenues in life. The obituary bears that out. I'm sorry for your loss.
Steven Gruel
May 29, 2020
Eldon was the first San Franciscan I met when I moved to The City from Wisconsin in 1987. He was my landlord at 1047 Bush Street. Like San Francisco, Eldon was magical - fun loving, quick witted and lighted hearted. We became instant and long lasting friends even when the good times at 1047 Bush Street faded - and what great times and wonderful people! Backyard barbecues with drinks, laughs and games. Whether it was riding on the back of his Vespa, early morning jogging up near Grace Cathedral or sitting in the bleachers at The Oakland Coliseum cheering for the Bash Brothers, time with Eldon was special. He and Ann Marie introduced my Wife Nora to me in 1989 with a first date at Ginsbergs - with Eldon tending bar, of course. We also worked together on several cases together after I opened my law firm - Eldon was an outstanding investigator with a keen eye for detail and insight. Over the last few years, apart from the cases we worked on or running into each other in West Portal, we connected mainly by calls or text messages. One of my last texts to Eldon was sending a photo I took with my phone of an original Bullit movie poster I found at a vintage shop. He loved it and texted how he began wearing turtlenecks because of Steve McQueen in that movie.
While we all deeply mourn Eldons passing, I take comfort in knowing that I am truly blessed to have known him and to have called him my Friend - so many fond memories. Thank you, Eldon, for everything!
My prayers and thoughts are with you, Ann Marie, and with the kids.
God Bless Eldon, Ann Marie and the kids,
- Steven Gruel
Jennifer McCormick
May 28, 2020
Working with Eldon over the years has always been a pleasure. I mostly worked with him over the phone and email, but he also always took time to be freindly. He was a very talanted and charismatic investigator; the best at what he loved to do. I will miss him, and my all of my empathy are thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Jennifer
M A
May 25, 2020
Happy Trails, Old Jess. The eldest and the wisest, don of Tehran, family man par excellence, unforgettable character.
Carol Mitchell ( Catalina Carol)
May 25, 2020
Annmarie, Alana, Erica, and Brian,
I am so sorry to hear of Eldons passing. We will miss him in Catalina. He was a humble man with a sweet smile. Big hugs to all four of you.
Carol Mitchell (Catalina Carol) ❤
Anita Nail
May 24, 2020
My sincere condolences to Ann Marie and your lovely family on the loss of your wonderful husband. With love and prayers,
Anita Nail
Audrey Huang
May 24, 2020
Dear Ann Marie
My deepest condolences to you and your family and friends. I had not formally met Eldon but I always loved hearing your stories and laughing about your family's adventures at our SLP staff meetings. It always seemed that you are just such a fun and loving couple!
Rest in peace Eldon and may you and your kids hold those loving memories in your hearts always.
Audrey Huang
Phil Johnson
May 23, 2020
Ann Marie and kids: so sorry to hear about Eldon. Your obituary really captured his essence. Just a very nice, unassuming family man. We got together some at SCU, always had a good time, but we got to know each other more at St Brendan's, where we partied, helped the parish and school out on many occasions and took care of our children. Those are wonderful memories. He will be missed by many. We will pray for Eldon - who is in a better place - and for you and family to keep positive after this loss. All the best. Phil, Vicki, Kelly, Christy, Dan and Tori Johnson
Markl Brown
May 22, 2020
Eldon and I never met in person even though we worked together for years! We had only one phone conversation in the beginning that initiated our relationship! I soon realized that Eldon was a proud, loving, kind and very generous human being! We communicated by email and never knew he and I had a love for cats but we did for Formula 1! Eldon made you feel like family! Like his precious and grieving family, I will miss him deeply and consider myself lucky to have called him a friend! Rest In Peace Eldon.
Markl Brown
Markl
May 22, 2020
Eldon and I never met in person even though we worked together for years! We had only one phone conversation in the beginning that initiated our relationship! I soon realized that Eldon was a proud, loving, kind and very generous human being! We communicated by email and never knew he and I had a love for cats but we did for Formula 1! Eldon made you feel like family! Like his precious and grieving family, I will miss him deeply and consider myself lucky to have called him a friend! Rest In Peace Eldon.
Markl Brown
Chris, Julia & Anna Dobel
May 22, 2020
Our sincerest condolences to Ann Marie, Alana, Erika, Brian & The Jesse Family. Hardly was Eldon seen by us without his beloved Ann Marie by his side. An amazingly joyful, hilarious and fun duo! From bumping into Eldon at the Stonestown YMCA; or spotting Eldon in the back of St Brendan Church; at a Lake Natoma regatta; or on The Jesse Family Christmas card many words were not needed in recognizing Eldons peaceful and kind character. We will miss bumping into Eldon in all those familiar places; but will forever have Eldon and his smile in our hearts. AMDG! & Rest In Gods Peace Eternal With greatest and deepest sympathy.
Donna Quan
May 22, 2020
My sincere condolences to Eldon's family. I always enjoyed talking with Eldon, as we usually compared how our respective luck fared at the gambling tables in Reno and Las Vegas, before I assigned him a case to work on for our firm. I will miss his stories and his laughter.
Donna Quan
Peter Van Zandt
May 21, 2020
Eldon was a very gracious and humble man. I am so honored to have known him for nearly 35 years and know that we were friends. He was honest and principled, perhaps uncomfortably so if you lived in the same household, but with all of the best intentions and love. As a friend that quality was endearing, powerful and true but at times required some genuine self reflection. He was an accomplished golfer, cook, bar tender, clothes horse and knew his way around a craps table. But none of the vices associated with those interests ever consumed him, rather he was a master of them. His love of honest, diligent hard work was born of our shared Dutch heritage and wooden head, wooden shoes, wouldnt listen was part of our shared experience. Eldons sincere love and devotion to AnneMarie, Alana, Erika and Brian
andrea olcomendy
May 21, 2020
God bless you Eldon. May you rest in peace. You lived a fun and amazing life. Im sure you were welcomed with open arms crossing over the rainbow to a better place.
Victor Delta
May 21, 2020
Adios amigo
Save me a bar stool
Ill see you when I get in
Vic Delta; Capt, IN
USAR
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
Make a Donation
in Eldon Jesse's name
Memorial Events
for Eldon Jesse
Funeral services provided by:
Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City, CA 94014
How to support Eldon's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Eldon Jesse's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
