Frank Leslie Bessenger, Jr. (78 years old) of Dade City, Florida passed away on Saturday, October 7th. Frank was born on December 5, 1938 in Dade City, the son of Leslie and Pearl Bessenger. He graduated from Pasco High School in 1956 and attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis MD, graduating in the Class of 1960. As an active duty naval officer, Frank served 20 years with shipboard sea and shore assignments. He served 3 years as an Advisor in 1969-72 to the Iranian Navy in Tehran, Iran. His next assignment involved four years travel to Saudi Arabia from Washington, D.C. on the OPNAV Project coordination effort for the FMS Saudi Naval Expansion Program. His last tour of duty included INSURV contract acceptance trials for new construction ships and submarines and underway maintenance inspections. After retiring as a Commander, USN from the Navy in 1980, Frank worked as a Program Manager for two flight simulation companies, Reflectone Simulation, Inc. in Tampa FL and Redifusion Simulation UK in Tulsa OK. He embarked on a second career with Lockheed Martin until his retirement in 2003. He was a member of St Mary's Episcopal Church in Dade City, Florida, MOAA, and USNA Alumni.Frank is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Melinda Wynn Bessenger, his daughter Mary Wynn Seiter (Joe) and their children T. J, Andrew, Jack and Matt; son Les Bessenger III and his children Les IV and Sarah; and son Reid Bessenger(Michele) and children Nate, Brittany, Sarah, Sam and Spencer. He was predeceased by his father Leslie, mother Pearl, sister Mary Reid, grandsons Samuel Bessenger and Ryan Seiter, and brother-in-law Bill Osterhoudt. Following burial of his ashes by his family at the Dade City Cemetery, a memorial service will be held at eleven oclock Saturday October 14th at St Mary's Episcopal Church in Dade City. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made in Franks memory to either Gulfside Center for Hospice Care in Zephyrhills or to St. Marys Episcopal Church in Dade City. Memorial Service

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

Saturday, October 14, 2017 11:00 AM 37637 Magnolia Avenue Dade City, Florida 33523 Directions