Frank L. Jesmer
 Frank L. Jesmer (779) in 1942 |
 Frank in 1976 |
Frank L. Jesmer, 779th
7 May 1981
Frank Lawrence Jesmer came into this world 27 January 1917 at the family homestead in Middle Park, Colorado, the eighth of eleven children born to James Francis Jesmer, of French Canadian ancestry, and Laura May Osborne, the granddaughter of Scottish immigrants.
He spent his early childhood on the ranch and attended high school in nearby Kremmling, staying with his sister and road foreman father in the "family cabins" during the week and walking the 10 miles back to the ranch to help out on the weekends. Preferring machines to horses, he left the ranch for a stint with the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) in Estes Park, Colorado before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in January, 1941.
Frank graduated from the Missouri Aviation Institute’s Army Air Corps Mechanics Course in 1942, and was eventually assigned to the newly formed 464th Bombardment Group at Boise, Idaho where he met and courted his future wife, Christena Janet Bogart. He stayed with the 464th, 779th Squadron for the rest of his Army service, finally reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. In Italy "his baby" was a B-24 bomber known as Short Fat & 4F - its call letters were "Black C."
In 1945, after the armistice in Europe, Frank returned home to Middle Park after a stop in Oregon to marry his sweetheart. After a couple of years he decided that ranching really was not for him. Frank moved his new family to an old Quonset hut on Buckley Air Force Base before buying a house in South East Denver in 1950. The family's last move was to the house just across the street. Frank and Christena raised four children, Janice, John, Jay and Julie. They also opened their home and hearts to foster children.
He worked a few years at Sky Ranch and obtained his pilot license before being hired as an airplane mechanic by Frontier Airlines where he worked until his untimely death from cancer 7 May 1981. Frank lived a quite unassuming life, answering the call for help after the great Denver flood of 1965. He was dearly beloved by all who knew him and remained close to his large extended family, most of whom lived within 50 miles.
The first four of seven grandchildren born before his death were his pride and joy. Among his most cherished memories were the 464th reunions he was able to attend and visiting with his war buddies. Frank was a true gentleman, a loyal friend and steadfast brother. He was above all a loving husband, father, and grandfather.