He was one of the Valley’s most enthusiastic cheerleaders; he was a friend to nearly everyone he met; he governed with both common sense and compassion. And Custer County lost one of its shining stars with the death last weekend of Westcliffe Mayor Jess Price.

 

Jess died on Sunday, his 73rd birthday. Though he had been in failing health, friends said he was his usual spirited self in the days and hours leading up to his final breath.

 

Jess had been a driving force in our community since arriving in Westcliffe nearly 25 years ago. He brought with him his successful drywall business, and there are countless homes in the Valley and in surrounding communities that display his craftsmanship. As a southerner, he was always a barbeque fan, and after settling into the community he established his Jess’s Best catering business, and developed his popular Jess’s Best BBQ Sauce which he prepared and sold. On key holidays like Easter and Thanksgiving, dozens of dinner tables would be laden with his incredibly delicious smoked hams and deep-fried turkeys.

 

For the past 19 years, Jess played an important role in local politics, having first served as a Westcliffe town trustee, and later as mayor. At the time of his death, he was well into his second mayoral term.

 

As one who never liked to make enemies – and we don’t know of a one – Jess had a soft-touch form of governance. He relied on good sense and his life experiences to form his policies and decisions.

 

But it was his inherent likeability that folks will probably remember most about Jess. He had a pleasant greeting and a big smile for everyone he met, and his optimistic nature and deep love of his community was evident to all who knew him. And our community won’t quite be the same without him.