Russell Jump

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Frank Russell Jump
Russell Jump

Russell Jump during his tenure as mayor of Wichita, Kansas
56th Mayor of Wichita, Kansas
In office
1952 – 1953
Preceded by Floyd Throckmorton Amsden
Succeeded by Walter M. Keeler
Born March 16, 1895(1895-03-16)
Flag of Illinois Galesburg, Illinois, United States
Died April 18, 2000 (aged 105)
Flag of Kansas Pratt, Kansas, United States
Spouse Florence Regnier
Children Marjorie Fincham
Alma mater University of California, Berkley
Occupation Founder of Arotext Co.
Religion Methodist

Frank Russell Jump (March 16, 1895 – April 18, 2000) was the 56th Mayor of Wichita, Kansas, serving from 1952–1953. Born in Illinois, Jump's family moved to Kansas, the state where he would spend most of his life, when he was a child. After briefly attending Kansas State University, Jump decided to join the war effort and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley's School of Military Aeronautics. Although he never flew any combat missions, aviation would become a significant part of the rest of his life.

After marrying and returning to Kansas, Jump started a uniform manufacturing company with his wife Florence, and had a daughter, Marjorie. He served as city commissioner of Wichita, Kansas for several years, before becoming the city's mayor. During his brief stint, his most noted achievement was the sale of the city's airport to the United States Air Force, which would later become McConnell Air Force Base. After his one-year term as mayor, Jump retired from politics and continued operating his company until the 1960s. At the time of his death, he was recognized as one of the longest lived individuals ever to have held public office.

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[edit] Early life

Jump was born on March 16, 1895 to a family in Galesburg, Illinois, a city in Knox County, and was a Methodist his entire life. His family moved to Anthony, Kansas in 1902 and, at the onset of the first World War I, he was attending Kansas State University. Wanting to join the war effort, Jump headed to California[1][2][3]

Jump signed up to serve during World War I, enlisting on December 22, 1917. He finished his studies at the University of California, Berkley's School of Military Aeronautics, graduating on July 8, 1918, and proceeded to train for the war effort. He was among the first flight class to train at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California. Jump was prepared to serve as an Army Air Corps pilot, having received his Reserve Military Aviator rating, but the war ended before he was able to engage in any dogfights against Germany. On November 2, 1918, days before the armistice, he had been made a Second Lieutenant. He was able, however, to fly over Los Angeles for a war bond drive in 1918, along with classmate and future aviation pioneer Walter Varney. Afterwards, Jump spent two months as an instructor at the base, before being discharged on January 4, 1919.[1][3]

Several weeks after the armistice, on November 28, 1919, Jump married Florence Regnier. After his military career, in 1921, he and his wife returned to Kansas, and settled in Wichita, where they had a daughter, Marjorie. In 1924, the couple formed a uniform manufacturing company, Arotex Co.[1]

[edit] Political career

Jump served as city commissioner of Wichita from 1949 until 1952, when he became mayor, succeeding Floyd Throckmorton Amsden.[4] During his time in political office, which lasted through 1953, he was instrumental in negotiating the sale of the local airport to the United States Air Force. Upon acquiring the city's airport in 1951, the Air Force converted it into McConnell Air Force Base.[1] He also helped the city expand as mayor, overseeing a bond issue that would help future development by funding water and sewer extensions.[5] He was succeeded as mayor by Walter M. Keeler[4]

[edit] Later life

Jump retired from politics after his tenure as mayor and he and his wife continued to operate their business until the 1960s.[1] He was a member of the Order of Daedalions, an organization for former military pilots, until his death.[3] Jump died on April 18, 2000 in Pratt, Kansas, his wife having died four months prior. At the time of his death, he had two grandsons, five great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson,[1] and was recognized as one of the longest lived people to have ever held public office.[4]

Preceded by
Floyd Throckmorton Amsden		 Mayor of Wichita, Kansas
1952 – 1953		 Succeeded by
Walter M. Keeler

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Former Wichita mayor, commissioner dies at age 105", Kansas, Morningsun.net, 2007-04-20. Retrieved on 2007-12-23. 
  2. ^ Kestenbaum, Lawrence (2005-03-10). Methodist Politicians in Kansas. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved on 2007-12-23.
  3. ^ a b c Close, Dan. "Limited in war, fliers vital in peace", Aviation History, Wichita Eagle, 1984-11-19. Retrieved on 2007-12-23. 
  4. ^ a b c 1950-1989. Previous Wichita Mayors. The City of Wichita (2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-23.
  5. ^ Page 57. The Ayes Have It! Wichita Water Department: A History 1882-1982. The City of Wichita (2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-23.


Persondata
NAME Jump, Frank Russell
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Russell, Jump
SHORT DESCRIPTION 56th Mayor of Wichita, Kansas. Founder of Arotext Co.
DATE OF BIRTH March 16, 1895
PLACE OF BIRTH Galesburg, Illinois, United States
DATE OF DEATH April 18, 2000
PLACE OF DEATH Pratt, Kansas, United States