Lee Jessup

Leamon Kemp Jessup - “Lee/PawPaw” - 66, of Mahomet, Illinois died at 07:05am at Presence Covenant Medical Center on Sunday, August 20, 2017.

Lee was born September 9, 1950 in Urbana, Illinois to Annie L. & Bobby Gene Jessup. Lee is survived by his mother, Annie Jessup, wife, Beverly Jessup, three sons, Jeremy (Nichole), Joshua, Joel (Katie), one daughter, Annie Jane Anglin (Tyler), three step-children - Jacquie Guevara (Matthew), Megan Berry (Lance) and Jake Foley. Lee was blessed with 9 grandchildren. Lee was preceded in death by his father Bobby Gene Jessup and brother Robert G. Jessup.

Lee was a graduate of Illinois State University with a BS in Education and MS in Educational Administration and worked as a school administrator for over 30 years, retiring in 2005 as Principal of Lincoln Trail Elementary School in Mahomet, Illinois. Lee began his teaching career in Normal Community School District where he was also a football and wrestling coach. Lee was also an IHSA Wrestling Official in his spare time during that period. Lee and his family moved to Mahomet in 1978 when he took the principal’s position at the Seymour Grade school and when Mahomet and Seymour consolidated he was moved to Lincoln Trail Elementary where he finished his career. Lee spent time as Transportation Director for the MS School District. He was also an elected member of the Mahomet Village Board for a period of time. Lee believed in the community and wanted to leave things better than he found them and worked hard to show that example and live those expectations for his family and community members.

Lee believed in community service and sought out ways to serve others. He exemplified what it meant to be a community member - he believed if you were in a community, you had an obligation to serve in that community. Lee was a believer in faith, family, fellowship and freedom - he was a patriot through and through and stood up for the US Flag and Constitution. Lee was a volunteer coach for his sons for baseball, wrestling, and football. He could be found on the sidelines or in the bleachers at athletic events for his children and grandchildren or in the auditorium for musicals and drama club productions or at MS Marching Bulldog shows. Lee, before and into retirement, spent time as a mentor in the MS Schools for teachers, staff and most important to him, students. He founded Lee J’s Firehouse Golf and Arcades and Tropical Sno to provide a safe place for his kids to work and community children to play - ultimately donating the Tropical Sno franchise to the Mahomet Area Youth Club. Lee worked hard and played harder! He rarely missed an opportunity to enjoy a practical joke or a chance to “stir the pot” so-to-speak. His smile and laughter were infectious and will be missed!

Lee has held leadership positions in nearly every organization he’s been involved in and has left a legacy in and around the community. Lee dedicated over 40 years of service as a volunteer firefighter at Bloomington Township and Cornbelt Fire Protection District retiring in April 2017 as a Trustee at Cornbelt Fire Protection District in Mahomet. Lee was an instrumental and dedicated member of the Mahomet Area Youth Club’s Executive Board and believed wholeheartedly in their mission and work in and around the Mahomet Community. Lee was a member of the Mahomet United Methodist Church and instilled the biblical teachings of the church throughout the fabric of his life and family. Lee was a Freemason and a member of Mahomet Lodge #220. Lee was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

The family would love to share with any community members who wish to visit on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 beginning at 4pm at the Mahomet United Methodist Church at 1302 E. South Mahomet Road. Additionally, there will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 11am at the church on Thursday, August 24, 2017 followed by a fellowship meal. Services are being handled by Blair-Owens Funeral Home and Officiated by Rev. John K. McIntosh. Even in death, Lee has sought to provide an opportunity for learning and teaching and has requested his body be donated to Northwestern Medical School.

In lieu of flowers (Lee despised flowers at funerals), please make any memorial contributions to the Mahomet Area Youth Club, the Mahomet-Seymour Education Foundation or the Cornbelt Fire Protection District Firefighters Fund. Lee’s signature from his emails sums up his priorities - “As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” - Joshua 24:15.