Scott W. Jessup, 71, of Centralia, passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Fireside House of Centralia after a long illness with Parkinson’s Disease. Scott was born at Selfridge, MI Air Force Base to his parents, Robert Jessup of Orlando, Florida, and Cleatis Welch (remarried) from Centralia, who preceded him in death.
He is survived by sisters, Connie Sause of Centralia and Patsy (George) Spilios of Rockledge, Florida, brothers, Joe (Pam) Jessup of Centralia, John Jessup of Centralia, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Scott’s Father was a career member of the U.S. Air Force & was stationed with his family at many military bases, so Scott grew up in Michigan, Alaska, Texas, Kansas, and the U.S. Territory of the island of Guam before his parents finally settled in Centralia.
Scott worked for the Burlington/Northern Railroad, was co-owner of “Scottie’s Comics” in Mt. Vernon, and later drove sixteen-wheelers for J.B. Hunt until he became disabled and could no longer work.
When he was still able, Scott would visit a nursery every Spring, plant a garden, and give vegetables to neighbors and friends. He would also buy snow cones for neighborhood children – some who had no money. He was just a “giving person”. He absolutely loved cats – any cats – his own and feral cats that he would feed and even pay for their vet bills.
He loved life and in 2009, while metal detecting and exploring, discovered a huge, historic Mastodon tooth. A very interesting article was published in the Centralia Sentinel and letters from professors at the University of Illinois verified his find. He eventually donated the Mastodon tooth to the City of Carlyle’s Public Library, since the tooth was discovered in Clinton County.
Memorial Services will be held Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. A Visitation with family and friends will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024, from Noon until the time of service at the Funeral Home. Burial will be at a later date in Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Scott’s name to: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777 New York, NY 10163-4777 and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Scott’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
