Frank Dean Jessop

Frank Dean Jessop died on May 3, 2023, at Phelps Health after a short illness. He was 91. Frank was born, as the folk who are the foundation of this nation often are, between two wars and during economic strife. He entered this world in Lyndon, KS, on August 18, 1931, to Frank Roy and Verla Mae Jessop née Fleming, purveyors of dry goods and groceries. Frank grew up, like most boys do, as a pest to older boys, but by high school, he was a popular athlete excelling at basketball and football. After high school, Frank joined the Air Force. The USAF, in its wisdom, had him serve the Korean Conflict by fighting Communism “wine cellar by wine cellar in Germany,” as Frank would later joke. In truth, he was proud to be among the men and women who stood guard in Eastern Europe, keeping another war on the continent from erupting. With his service behind him, he returned to Kansas State University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He also met a woman he thought he’d like to date, Carol Reva Anderson. Frank and Carol were married five months later, and with their college degrees in hand, they moved to Lyndon, where Frank took over the family business. Jessop’s IGA was a fixture in the town, and Frank and Carol worked hard and started a family. By 1968, the retail landscape had changed, and Frank changed with it. He sold the family business to care for his family and took a job with the AAFES, the PX, and BX on military bases. This new adventure provided for the family and took them to Minneapolis, MN; Mineral Wells, TX; Wichita Falls, TX; Sault Ste, Marie, MI; Duluth, MN; Colorado Springs, CO; Denver, CO; Tullahoma, TN; Grand Forks, ND, and San Antonio, TX. In 1992, they decided to retire and, after an extensive search, chose Rolla to be their final home. Restless in retirement, Frank went to work for Walmart “just for fun.” Frank said meeting customers was what he loved most about retail. But Walmart soon discovered his gifts for the work and promoted him to Safety Consultant. He traveled around ensuring stores were compliant until he finally retired to his hobbies for good. Frank enjoyed gardening, bird watching, camping, service to the community, and reading. He and Carol traveled throughout the US and Europe, including the Rhine River—a bucket list item to show Carol where he was stationed during his time in the Air Force. Frank was a faithful member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Rolla and attended Bible study every Friday. He was active in the Backpack program, GRACE (he served on the board for several years), and had been a Scout leader when his boys were young. Above all, Frank was a family man. He adored his family. The time spent with them and his many friends was what he enjoyed most. He will be missed by all that knew and loved him. Frank Dean Jessop is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Carol Jessop, and his children, F. Bradley Jessop and fiancée Amy Lapointe, of Sulphur, OK, Scott W. Jessop and his beloved, Rachel Fowler, of Manitou Springs, CO, Mary Elizabeth Prigelmeier and husband Kenny, of Moorhead, MN, and Kirk A. Jessop and wife Jocelyn, of Edmond, OK; grandchildren, Theron Jessop and his wife LeRhonda, Alexandra Jessop and her partner Angelo Sapienza, Michael Schmidt, Tyler Schmidt, Kathleen Jessop, Samuel Jessop, and Annabelle Jessop; great-grandchildren, Aiden and Juliette Jessop. Frank is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Burns, and her husband, Donald, of Topeka, KS, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister Jean Neill and her husband, Hobart. Funeral services at the First Presbyterian Church of Rolla at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, with visitation before the service from 11:00 AM until service time. Interment with full military honors follows at Ozark Hills Memorial Gardens. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to GRACE, the Backpack Program, or the Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan Fund. Cards are available at all James & Gahr locations

Frank Dean Jessop

August 18, 1931 - May 3, 2023

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Frank Dean Jessop

August 18, 1931 - May 3, 2023

Obituary Notification

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information