We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved Jesse Joseph Villarreal, 22, of Montrose. On the morning of Nov. 5, he was tragically killed when struck by a car while attempting to cross a busy street on his way to work.

Jesse was born in West Covina on Oct. 3, 2000 and he attended elementary school there. Just before the sixth grade, the premature passing of his parents would send him and his sister to live with their aunt and uncle in Glendale. While there, he attended Fremont Elementary, Rosemont Middle School and Crescenta Valley High School.  

In high school, he sang in the choir, served in the JROTC and produced short films in the filmmaking department. During his sophomore year, he traveled with his choir to New York City and sang at the famous Lincoln Center. He graduated from CV High in 2018.

He worked at various businesses in Montrose after graduation. He enjoyed dressing in costume as a Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur and Minion at the local movie theater and taking photos with excited kids. Since middle school, Jesse always dressed as a mime on Halloween night and performed for children as they came to his house to trick-or-treat. Jesse was enjoying his job working at Ralph’s the last few months where he worked as a cashier and courtesy clerk.

Jesse is preceded in death by his parents Jesse Gustavo Villarreal and Niccole Garcia Villarreal; his maternal grandmother Kathy “Gigi” Neal. He is survived by his sisters Sasha, 24, and Stephanie Gonzales, 30; paternal grandmother Isabel Newman; aunts Maria Villarreal and Luz Villarreal; and his Uncle Dino Castro.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. Visitation and services will be held at: Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary, 3888 Workman Mill Road in Whittier. Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary (562) 205-4810.