Thomas M. Jessop

Dad, Grandpa, Papa, Brother, Uncle, Friend and loved by many, the Jessop family lost the man who always lit up a room, Tom Jessop. “You only have one life” did not apply to Tom. Tom fortunately experienced many lives. Tom was born and raised in Redwood Falls, MN. In 1968 he graduated from Redwood Falls High school and married Deb Schei Kramer, raising four kids Michael, Jennifer, Staci and Nicole. Tom kept the family of six moving. Literally. After testing out seven different communities, in the summer of 1980 Tom settled in Atwater, MN until 1992. Leisurely, Tom engaged in community plays, school board and church choir. Professionally, Tom kept busy selling paint for PPG until he assumed ownership of the Atwater Lumberyard. While their marriage did not last forever, Tom and Deb remained friends together enjoying milestones for each of their children. Tom danced into his next life marrying Penny Nordberg and in 1998 they settled on Lake Seven, Frazee, MN where they raised Mandy, Nick and Alex Nordberg, and he became a caring adult to Deb and Kristen Nordberg. Here they ventured into their own paint and stain business Color-Tek Coatings. Lake Seven is where he started creating memories as Papa Tom. He was so loved by his twenty-three grandchildren. Ask any of these kids about their Grandpa Tom and they would unanimously agree he was the funniest! When Tom could be pulled away from work, during the warm months he could be found on the lake pulling water skiers and tubers, fishing and always enjoying a nightly boat cruise with a beer. Year round, with music always playing, Tom would be in his garage putzing around, hoarding two or more of the same item, of which he never needed, and jimmy rigging anything possible. Tom had a sign in his garage, “Garage Logic”, which is ironic as often during garage conversations, there was very little logic and a whole lot of nonsense. Always starting projects, rarely finishing them, provided years of jokes. After his marriage ended with Penny, Tom moved into town where he spent the past couple years of life, finally retiring August of 2021. Tom had a passion for work. Born a salesman, so full of shit, he could sell sawdust to a lumber mill. Some would say he worked too much. And he did, only because he would strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone which led to long days. He simply enjoyed conversation. Tom loved making people laugh. Which was easy just being Tom. All who knew him, knew his heart was large and full of love. He truly was everyone’s friend. Tom loved fiercely and deeply. It goes without saying, Tom is fiercely and deeply loved by many. Please join Tom’s family in giving him the largest of send-offs as he lights up the room in his next life Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald “Jerry” and Verona “Ronnie” Jessop and brother Steve “Ace” Jessop. He is survived his son Mike, wife Susie, grandson Joe and granddaughter Hanna of Golden Valley, MN; daughter Jennifer, ex-husband Chris Drake, children Will and Maggie of Minneapolis, MN; daughter Staci, husband John, granddaughters Madalynn and Anna and grandson Jack of Golden Valley, MN; daughter Nichole, husband Chad, grandsons Brian, Jonathan, and Jordan, granddaughter Ellie and great grandson Bentley of Belview, MN. Stepdaughter Deb, grandson Ethan and granddaughter Chloe; Stepdaughter Kristen, granddaughters Marina, Maggie and Sydney and grandson Sam of Litchfield, MN; Stepdaughter Mandy, husband Brian, grandsons Blake and Connor and granddaughter Dani; Stepson Alex and girlfriend Sam of Fargo, ND; Stepson Nick, wife Ashley, grandsons Noland and Apollo, granddaughter Ev, of Aitken, MN. Sister Barbara, husband Don, of New Orleans, LA; Brother Bob, wife Barb, of McDonough, GA and countless nieces and nephews extending across families. It should be mentioned that Tom easily assumed the role of “adoptive dad, uncle, brother” to many and we acknowledge those who welcomed Tom into their lives. In lieu of flowers, please Venmo his kids. They deserve a calm weekend away after the endless days clearing out the house of someone who could not throw anything away. #joking #notjoking Out of the mouth of Tom, “Keep that. You never know when you might need it.”