More detail on this person: Morris Michael
"Mike" Jessup, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (ret.)
passed away, in Yuma, January 1, 2014. He was
born October 8, 1932 in Okanogan, Washington,
where he graduated from Washington High School.
He attended Washington State University and was
a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and the ROTC
program. He graduated in 1956 with a B.A. degree
in physical science and was a "Distinguished
Military Graduate" of ROTC. Mike was a military
pilot and served two tours in Viet Nam, one of
which in 1963, he commanded a helicopter unit. He
completed his military service as the Executive
Officer of the Tropic Test Center in Panama. He
worked the aftermath of the 1964 Good Friday
Alaska earthquake as the Operations Officer for
the 80th Helicopter Company. After 21 years and 23
moves in the military, he settled his family and
retired in Yuma, AZ. After retiring from the Army,
he and his wife, Sharon, had a successful floral
craft and gift business for fifteen years. He was
a longtime member of Yuma Kiwanis Club, MOA
(Military Officers' Association), Yuma Historical
Society, and Westerners (he was a western history
buff). He was active in First Presbyterian Church
and served as both an Elder and a Deacon. He
helped organize Cub Scout Pack 55 (chartered by
First Presbyterian Church and First United
Methodist Church), and was active with the group
for twenty one years. With his wife, he was
involved many years with Girl Scout programs in
Alaska, Panama and Yuma. He was a volunteer
shuttle driver for Yuma Regional Medical Center,
did research for the historical society,
volunteered with both the Community Food Bank
and Friends of the Library. Mike enjoyed many
summers at the family cabin near Sun Valley,
Idaho. He loved to fly fish for Rainbow Trout, was
an avid bird watcher, loved to cook on the
barbecue, liked playing with his computer, and was
an avid reader. In his earlier years, he canoed,
water skied, hunted with his sons, and enjoyed
backpacking with his family. Mike is survived by
his wife of 57 years, Sharon; one daughter,
Jeannie Sylvester (Ricky) of Ft. Worth, Texas;
three sons: Michael Jessup (Karen) of Leavenworth,
Kansas, Morris Jessup (Ashley) of Scottsdale,
Arizona; and Tim Saelens, of Chandler, Arizona. He
was preceded in death by his daughter, Debbie
Nelson; his mother Rachael Sharp; his father,
George Jessup, and his step-father Ray Sharp.
Mike was born with a cleft palate. Through the
generosity of others and through many surgeries,
it was corrected. In lieu of flowers, memorial
donations can be made to "Smile Train", P.O. Box
6246, Washington D.C. 20090-6246
(www.SmileTrain.org).Smile Train is a charity
organization that corrects (at no cost) cleft
palates for needy children. Mike's memorial
service will be held at First Presbyterian Church,
598 S. 7th Ave, Yuma, AZ Saturday, January 18 at
11 a.m. Please sign the guest book at
www.yumasun.com/obituaries
Published in The Yuma Sun on Jan. 7, 2014
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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