Obituaries

Bradley Dean Jesson

Photo of Bradley Dean Jesson
Bradley Dean Jesson, beloved husband, father and grandfather and a pillar of Arkansas's legal community, died on January 11, 2016. He was 83. Jesson was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and grew up in Coffeyville, Kansas. An Eagle Scout at age 13, and a tall, handsome trombone player (with a wicked tennis serve), Jesson's gifts shone from an early age. He was a gifted speaker with a quick intellect and amazing memory who was kind to all. Always ready with a quick response, he won a radio quiz show where the prize was a full scholarship to the University of Tulsa. While Jesson won honors at Tulsa and became student body president, his biggest college success was meeting Mary Ellen Everett and convincing her to marry him. On the professional side, after military service in Japan and graduation from the University of Arkansas Law School, Jesson embraced the state of Arkansas and the city of Fort Smith as his own. He served as a law clerk for Federal Judge John E. Miller, often working on the school desegregation challenges in Little Rock. Most of his career, he practiced law with the Hardin Law firm, now Hardin, Jesson, and Terry PLC. Through his practice and his community involvement, he strove to improve the lives of all Arkansans. He served as City Attorney, Legislative Secretary to Governor Dale Bumpers, Chair of the Arkansas Democratic Party, Chair of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, and Special Master for the Supreme Court in Lakeview School District v. Huckabee, the landmark case involving public education in Arkansas. At the time of his death he was an active member of the Board of Directors for both Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Marshalls' Museum. Brad Jesson would tell you that his family – starting with his wife – was his greatest accomplishment. He relished family successes: the junior high band concerts; the close tennis match, the choir solo, the cheerleading competition, and the array of professional and personal feats. Jesson's support and unconditional love made these, and so much more, possible. And yet he was also there with encouragement when success seemed elusive. At the end, Brad Jesson died in the city and state he cared so much about. A great storyteller, his last days were spent hearing family and friends tell stories about him, having some ice cream (his favorite food and his last meal) enmeshed in the love and faith that were the foundations of his life. Brad Jesson is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; his daughters, Lucinda Jesson (Peter Knapp), Jennifer Karber, Deana Hankins (Hank), and Mary Beth Brooks (Tim); as well as 11 grandchildren: Bradley Cousins (Adrienne); Christopher Knapp (Laura Sloan); Chase Vicary; Matt Vicary; Nathan Jesson; Shaw Wilson; Ashley Jones (Matt); John Knapp; Kaitlin Brooks; Jess Hankins; and Sam Brooks. The Funeral Service will be Friday, January 15, at 10 a.m., in the Sanctuary at First United Methodist Church in Fort Smith, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Private burial will be in Oak Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his nine grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Sebastian County Bar Association and the Discussion Sunday School Class. The family will visit with friends following the service in the church Narthex. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith, 200 North 15th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 72901; The Marshalls Museum, 14 North 3rd Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 72901; or the University of Arkansas Law School, 1045 W Maple Street, Robert A. Leflar Law Center, Waterman Hall, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701. Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.

Published January 14, 2016

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