PRESHO, SD –

Edward “Pal” Jessop, 83, of Presho died surrounded by his family on Monday, November 13 at Avera St. Mary’s in Pierre. A funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Monday, November 20 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Presho with a visitation from 5:00pm-6:00pm on Sunday, November 19 at the church with a prayer service at 6:00pm. Burial will follow the services at the Presho City Cemetery. For those unable to attend the services they will be live streamed on this page the day of the service.

Edward (Pal) Franklin Jessop was born in Presho on August 14, 1940, to Lyman and Myrtle (Parks) Jessop. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Presho, graduating from Presho High School in 1958. He studied mechanics at Springfield College. In 1960, he married Joyce Knutson. To this union, four children were born: Joseph (Jody) James, Jeffery (Jeff) Jon, Justin (Judge) Jay, and Jacqueline (Jackie) Jayne.

Pal has been a driver since an early age. At 13 years old, he drove a truck to Belle Fourche to pick up pipe for Sather Drilling. He also trucked to Sioux Falls where he would stay with his sister Barb and Jim Shrader. As a teen, Pal and his dad repaired well rigs and farmed together. After starting his family, Pal drove a propane transport truck with his uncle Ed Parks and worked on the farm. He and Joyce then moved to their farm south of Presho and began farming and ranching. Pal bought his own trucks and hauled cattle, sheep, and buffalo. A drive across the state prompted memories, and he would point in the direction of ranches of Joe Bad Waln or Doug Temple. He hauled buffalo for Don Hight and told how their heads touched the top of the trailer. Pal had a trucking adventure in northwestern South Dakota down a 50 mile dirt road. They chained up the tires, and the rancher led the way out on an IH M tractor with a flashlight for a headlight.

Later on, Pal drove the fuel transport truck for Drabek Oil in Presho. He also drove for Dakota Bus Service out of Spearfish for a couple of years. He enjoyed working for Dakota Bus and often reminisced about his trips and the people he met while traveling the country. Delivering mail was the perfect fit for him, and he truly loved his post office family. He reliably delivered mail and treats to the dogs on his route for 27 years. Pal’s transition to retirement was a smooth one. He watched classic television; “Gunsmoke” was a favorite. He read. He took drives with his dog Clara and delighted in visits with his grandchildren as well as attending their many activities. His most-treasured titles were “Dad” and “Papa.”

Pal loved animals, history, classic cars, trucks, driving, classical music, Barbara Streisand, the Three Tenors, Celine Dion, Mario Lanza, sweet treats, cinnamon rolls, waking up at the crack of dawn, anything that Joyce cooked and baked for him, his friends, his community, and most of all, his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lyman and Myrtle; his parents-in-law Joseph (Bud) and Audrey Knutson; nephew Mike Shrader; brother-in-law Jim Shrader; and many good dogs.

Pal is survived by his wife Joyce, his children and their families: Jody and Dawn and their children Tiffany (Jim and Sloane) Benham; Jake (Jon) Jessop; Jordan and Rachel (Julia Mae and Johnny Brooks); Rachel Loveless and family; and Rob Lintvedt; Jeff and Harla and their children Jacey (Jim Bob) Ellsworth and Jaden; Judge and Lisa and their children, Joslyn, Justice, and Josie; Jackie and Kasey and their daughter Kenadi; his sister Barb Shrader and his furry friend Clara.

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