Bobby Ray Jessen (Seymour)'s Obituary
Bobby Jessen passed away peacefully in his rural Fordland home with family by his side the afternoon of March 29, 2021. He was 85 years wise. The eldest of five children of Ulis and Elva (Partee) Jessen, he was born Bobby Ray Jessen on February 23, 1936, in Mountain View, Arkansas. He spent his youth in the Mountain View area and was a member of the Mountain View High School Class of 1954.
Bobby proudly served his country, joining the United States Air Force in 1955. On April 7, 1956, Bobby married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Norma Lee Ward, and to this union three sons – Mike, Edward, and Wayne – were born. Bobby and Norma shared fifty-four blessed and happy years together until her passing in July of 2010.
In 1965, the Jessens relocated to Springfield, Missouri, where Bobby first earned a degree from Drury University, then a Master’s from the University of Missouri. He began his commendable teaching career in the early 1970s as a computer programming professor at Graff Vo-Tech, now Ozarks Technical Community College. Bobby retired from OTC in May of 2002, after 30 years of dedication to his students, staff, and school. For a time, he served as President of Springfield Teachers Association.
Bobby had moved his family to rural Diggins, Missouri, in 1969, and his sons attended Seymour schools. He was a devoted dad, always supporting his sons in school sports, and this enthusiasm continued long after they graduated. He was one of the most dedicated sports fans of Seymour school’s athletics programs, rarely missing a game, and even being honored with his own seat in the school gymnasium.
As a younger man, Bobby really enjoyed golfing and played as often as he could. He farmed in the Grovespring, Missouri, area. He was mayor of Diggins in the 1980s.
Bobby and Norma were long-time members of Diggins Baptist Church and later, First Baptist Church in Seymour; he continued to attend until his health would not allow. In 1984, Bobby became an ordained minister and would be a fill-in pastor for area Baptist churches. He taught adult Sunday school and served as a deacon. He and Norma enjoyed attending and singing at church revivals.
In addition to his parents, waiting for Bobby with the Lord above were his beloved wife Norma, and their son Mike; his grandsons, Bryan Jessen, and Tanner Jessen; and four brothers-in-law, Bill Whitfield, Von Ward, Carol Ward, and Kenneth Ward.
Surviving Bobby are his sons, Ed Jessen of Diggins, and Wayne and Lisa Jessen of Fordland, and his daughter-in-law, Melanie Carden-Jessen of Springfield, Missouri; six grandsons, Robert and Arrica Jessen, Brandon Jessen, Michael Jessen, Derrick Jessen, Jeffrey and Shernell Jessen, and Tyler Jessen, and granddaughter Ashley and Justin Golay; seven great-grandchildren; his sisters, Faye Whitfield, and Sue and Weldon Duncan, and his brothers, Ralph and Karen Jessen, and Keith and Sonja Jessen; one brother-in-law, Fred and Joan Ward, three sisters-in-law, Billie and Lon C. Simpson, Betty Ward, Lila Ward; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, extended family; and countless dear friends, neighbors and comrades.
Today we celebrate Bobby’s life, his accomplishments, and his legacy. He was one of a kind, always smiling, and “The best guy you’ll ever meet!” He will be sadly missed, but so fondly remembered by all those blessed enough to know and love him.
Memorials may be made to Seymour Booster Club or Union Chapel Cemetery and left at the funeral home.
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