Jesus "Jesse" Briones

Jesus “Jesse” Briones, 71, entered into rest on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in College Place, WA. He was born in Edinburg, TX, on December 24, 1954, to Maria and Justino Briones.

Jesse grew up in the Walla Walla Valley and graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1974. He attended Eastern Washington College (University) on a Track/Cross Country Scholarship and graduated in 1979 with a BA in Education. Jesse began his teaching career in Walla Walla, teaching English as a Second Language, Spanish, and P.E. at Garrison Middle School, Walla Walla High School, and Lincoln Alternative High School. He enjoyed all kinds of sports activities: coaching track and cross-country, keeping score at basketball games, working the sideline chains at football games, and taking groups of students skiing at Blue Wood. He established the first Latino Club at WA-HI, taught Citizenship, Spanish, and English to adults at night school, and served two terms as a commissioner for Hispanic Affairs in WA. Jesse enjoyed long-distance running and achieved the goal of completing a marathon. He liked to target practice at the shooting range, play soccer, coach, ski, ride his bike, teach, and attend his children’s events. Jesse was very proud of his children and all of their accomplishments.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his longtime friend, John Carter; brothers, Rosendo, Robert, and Joe; and sister, Elida Briones. He is survived by his two children, Andrea and Brandon Briones (Sandra King); two grandchildren, Nolan and Iris Briones; Michele Briones, Aurora Guerra (Amel) and Consolacion Morales (Jose); sister-in-law, Pamela Yeaw (Gregory); and brother in-law, Timothy Rassley (Zarina); many nieces and nephews. He will be lovingly missed by his family and many friends.

A rosary will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 6:10 PM at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home in Walla Walla. A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, followed by a graveside service at Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens in College Place, WA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.