Jesse House

Jesse Oliver House, a longtime resident of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2012.

On April 13, 1935, Jesse Oliver House was the seventh child born to Willie Anthony House and Haxel Leona House in the town of Hennessey, Oklahoma. After his birth, the family relocated to Dover, Oklahoma to reside in the family home that was previously built by his grandfather, William House, on their 180 acre farm. Jesse attended Booker T. Washington High School. After high school, Jesse attended Langston University. He was in ROTC, president of the Sphinx Club of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Beta Kappa Chapter, and later became a member of that organization. The summer of his sophomore year, Jesse and four other students transferred to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and became the first African Americans to integrate the institution. While attending OSU, he became a member of the National Society of Scabbard and Blade while pursuing an engineering degree at OSU. He was then transferred to Las Cruces, New Mexico to the White Sands Missile Site. Jesse attended New Mexico State University and received a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. The family later moved to California, where Jesse applied and passed the physical to become a United States Astronaut. While waiting for their call, he was once again employed by McDonald Douglas.

Jesse was instrumental in establishing the National Association of Black Manufacturers, which initiated and created Public Law 95507, which develops legislation in helping small and disadvantaged minorityowned businesses. Jesse started Crescent Engineering Company in 1968 and Crescent Caskets in 1979.

Jesse and Mildred lived a Christian lifestyle and put the Lord first. They have been blessed with four children, Jesse Oliver II, Loren Anthony, Fara Lejuan, Mark Oliver, and soninlaw, Donald Bostie. Jesse truly loved God, his family and his friends.

Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Hazel House, infant son, Jesse Oliver House II, two brothers, Allen and Arnold House, two sisters, John Ella Clark and Venus Thompson.

Jesse is survived by Mildred, his wife of 56 years three children, Fara Donald House Bostie, and two sons, Loren Athony House, and Mark Oliver House.

He is lovingly remembered by three sisters, Wilma Perry of Detroit, MI, Jean Brown of Detroit, MI, Veada House of Atlanta, GA, sisters and brothersinlaw, Ester House, Dovie House, brothersinlaw and their wives, Cecil and Velma Williams, Curtis and Jeannie Williams, Jeanetta and the late Cornelius Williams, Catherine and the late Vernon Williams and a host of nephews and nieces and other relatives.

The House family thanks you for your prayers, generosity, love, support and acts of kindness.