Carl John Gessler

Carl J. Gessler, Sr died May 17, 2018. He was born February 9, 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Paul and Carmella (Mimi) Gessler, the oldest of three children. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Business. He was based in Worm, Germany during the Korean War, serving as a Private in the United States Army. After working for Celotex in Kansas City, he moved his family to Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1963 to work for Dierks Forest Company (and subsequently Weyerhauser) as the Sales and Business Manager for the Gypsum Wallboard Divison until 1989. Mr. Gessler was an active member of and contributor to St. Lukes Episcopal Church. He enjoyed horse racing, golf, The Jazz Society, but most of all, his family. As one of his younger family members described him, "He was the consummate family man, hugely magnanimous, and he had a larger-than-life personality". Carl was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Margaret Robinson Gessler, and his sister Elizabeth Gessler Ranallo. He is survived by his wife Frances Cowan Gessler of Hot Springs, Arkansas,brother Paul E. Gessler Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri, his sons Bradley Paul Gessler (Susan) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Carl John Gessler Jr. (Sarah) of Huntsville, Alabama, and his daughter Catherine Gessler Allen (John) of Little Rock, Arkansas. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Natalie Ramsey (Jonathan), Caroline Gessler, Lauren Rowe (Dagnal), Kristen Twitty (George), Carl John Gessler III, John Allen V (Lindsey), Megan Irwin (Clark), Elise Shea (Adam), and Laura Harrod (Christian) and 12 great-grandchildren. The family is grateful for the care received from "The Caring Place", and individual care givers: Delores Johannsen, Joe Walker, Vanessa Stewart, Nita Seymour, Danyell Seymour, Kevin Jones, and Latasha Tollett. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Lukes Episcopal Church, 228 Spring Street Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901 or the charity of your choice. A visitation will be held Saturday, May 19 at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home, 155 Section Line Road, Hot Springs, Arkansas from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. The funeral will be held Sunday, May 20th at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Hot Springs at 2 p.m. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.