Jesse Velasquez Loanzon Jr.

Jesse was born to Elisea Pangan Velasquez, the Chief of Midwifery in the city of Manila, and Jesus Santos Loanzon, Sr., a judge, with whom Jesse Jr. shared the same birthday. Jesse was the seventh of 12 children.

Jesse spent his childhood in Manila, where he was well-known in his neighborhood for his likable personality. Loved ones recall Jesse as a jokester who had a large group of childhood friends, and who took care of his neighbors. He was a Boy Scout, later entertaining friends and family with stories of scouting adventures, and he loved birds - with a particular affinity for the pigeons in his Manila neighborhood.

Jesse attended San Sebastian College in Manila, where he was a member of the Pi Omicron fraternity, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in March 1979.

In the early 1980s, Jesse worked at the Philippine Refugee Processing Center (PRPC) in Bataan, Philippines, where he dedicated himself to supporting Vietnamese and other refugees as they arrived in the country. Jesse would help families settle into life at the PRPC, and later helped many emigrate to the United States.

Jesse migrated to the U.S. in 1981, arriving in New York City. He took post-graduate courses at Columbia University, primarily studying economics, and in the mid-1980s made his way to Portland, Oregon, where he began working in banking. Jesse later became a licensed real estate agent in Portland, and as a Realtor he was passionate about helping fellow Filipinos become homeowners in the city.

Jesse was very proud to become a naturalized U.S. citizen on January 25, 1990.

Jesse cared deeply about his children, Brandon and Tiffany. He enjoyed celebrating with a good party. He loved classic bicycles, collecting, movies, good food, socializing and staying in touch with his many friends and relatives (often by way of sharing memes), giving gifts to others, and telling stories. A lover of history, Jesse impressed many with his ability to quickly recount detailed specifics of world history at any time - naturally, he loved watching Jeopardy. Loved ones also remember him as a gifted, expressive storyteller, and a people magnet.

An altar boy as a child, Jesse leaned on his Catholic faith throughout his life as it guided and provided him with deep strength and solace.

Jess is deeply missed by his children, siblings, relatives, friends and loved ones.

Jesse is survived by his children, Brandon Jesse and Tiffany Ann, and siblings Jeanette, Victoria, Priscilla, Ana, Cecilia, Maria Cristina, Eugene and Emmeline. Jesse was preceded in death by his father, Jesus Sr. (d. 1996), mother, Elisea (d. 2007), brothers Alvin (d. 2015) and Michael (d. 2022), and sister Esther (d. 2022).