Jesse Elbert Andreski

Jesse E. “Jess” Andreski, 86, of Bullhead City, Arizona, passed away on November 22, 2025, peacefully and without pain, surrounded by family who made sure he knew he was deeply loved. Born in Arkansas to his mother Pauline, Jess was raised with the steady guidance of his stepfather, Stanley (“Andy”) Andreski, whose presence shaped much of his childhood.

Jess grew up with a determination and work ethic that shaped his entire life. He often joked that he walked to school uphill both ways with a potato in his pocket to keep his hands warm—rain, sleet, or snow. In truth, his sense of responsibility began early. At age 14, he was already driving a dairy truck and turning over his earnings to his mother and stepfather to help support the family.

As a teenager, Jess raced his stepfather’s horses at the county fair. He did so well that officials required him to add weight to his horse—a handicap—just to allow him to compete fairly with the others.

He was preceded in death by his soulmate, Brenda Andreski, who passed in 2017. Together they blended a family he loved equally and wholeheartedly.

He is survived by his son, Damon Andreski (wife Tracie); daughters Danielle “Dani” Walker (husband Mitchell), Denise Whitaker (husband Micheal), and Debbie Gaumnitz (husband Fred); and by Jason Philbrook (wife Taryn) and Jodie Perfect (husband Glenn Graef), whom he loved as his own.

He was incredibly proud of his grandchildren: Devin Andreski, Jule Andreski, Micheal Whitaker, Anissa Hernandez, Greg McKenzie, Prentiss “PJ” Hedrington, Frederick Gaumnitz, Jessica Pent, Scott Gaumnitz, Ross Philbrook, Amara Perfect, and Aleah Perfect.

His great-grandchildren include Drew, Hadley, Oakley, Taylor, Dante, Donavan, Quinn, Weston, Mya, Conner, Aleyna, Caleb, Charlotte, Natalie, Alexandra, Cameryn, Ashlynn, Taylor, Mathew, and Enzo. He cherished each one and often wished distance hadn’t kept him from being more closely involved in their lives.

Jess was a 55-year member of the Operating Engineers and retired as Superintendent with Cattrac Construction. His work can be seen throughout California—projects he spoke of with pride, including the LA River, Arrowhead Dam, the California Aqueduct, and the escape ramps throughout the Cajon Pass. One of those ramps became a defining moment of his career: within an hour of completing a particular escape ramp along the Cajon Pass, a brakeless semi used it, demonstrating the immediate importance of his work.

He fiercely protected his family, especially in his younger years, and his children knew he would always stand by them. He listened, advised, and taught by example.

Jess held his aviation license in the early 1970s and spent many years taking his family boating, camping, and riding motorcycles.

A tinkerer at heart, Jess loved backyard engineering projects. One of his favorite inventions was a pulley system he designed to lift his jacuzzi cover up and out of the way.

He lived by honesty, integrity, and the belief that you should always give back at least as much as you receive.

Jess is survived by his siblings Geraldine “Jerrie” Brown, Twyla Villines, and Stanley “Bub” Andreski Jr. (wife Marilyn). He was preceded in death by his mother Pauline Clark, his stepfather Stanley (“Andy”) Andreski, his brother John Stanley, and his sister Paulette Conner.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2026.