The Loss of a Model Public Servant and Friend
- Anthony Kathol
- Feb 28
- 4 min read
My heart has been heavy this week. On Tuesday, I learned that another member of our community passed away after a courageous battle with cancer—Jeff Siscoe. His death reminded me of my own mortality and the reality that death does not discriminate.
On Friday evening, during my usual sunset walk, I prayed the rosary for Jeff and his family. As I approached the stoplight to turn north onto First Avenue, I noticed the marquee at the Martin VFD Fire Hall illuminated in the distance. I stopped to read the message scrolling across the sign. It brought me to tears. Then I looked across the intersection, near the Yesway convenience store, and saw another marquee announcing his funeral arrangements. I continued home as memories of the many engaging conversations I shared with Jeff over the years came flooding back.
Jeff was passionate about whatever he set his mind to. He was also a God-fearing man with a deep love for the Lord. We had similar personalities, and he was never hesitant to speak openly about his faith. That stood out to me because men seldom share their religious convictions publicly. Jeff did, and he did so without apology.
We had many meaningful conversations. I remember sitting in his office one day when he encouraged me to apply for the position of deputy director of equalization. The discussion felt more like an interview. I told him I was working as a substitute teacher in the school district and beginning my master’s in theology. There was simply no way I could take on another responsibility. I also joked that I still wanted to have friends at the end of the day and did not want to absorb the frustration of disgruntled landowners upset about their property assessments. Jeff smiled and told me to send them to him. In the end, I thanked him for considering me, but I chose to continue my education and work as a substitute teacher at the Martin Grade School.
At another time, Jeff asked for volunteers to assist with emergency management efforts during the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine for high-priority individuals. Since I was not working at the time, I volunteered. Jeff assigned me to monitor individuals after vaccination, ensuring they had no immediate adverse reactions before leaving the makeshift clinic. I volunteered twice to support those efforts during the pandemic because Jeff trusted me enough to do the job.
Jeff and I also found ourselves on opposite sides of an issue. In March 2023, I received notice from his office that my property’s assessed value had increased by 31 percent in a single year. I spoke with Jeff, and he encouraged me to appeal to the local board of equalization. I argued that the value did not reflect reality, especially after the City’s sewer had backed up into my basement twice, causing more than $50,000 in damage. Although Jeff wore two hats—as Bennett County Director of Emergency Management and Director of Equalization—he treated me fairly, even though we disagreed.
I lost my appeal before the local board of equalization. Jeff encouraged me to take the matter to the county board of equalization. Again, I did not prevail on the valuation itself, but the commissioners relented and approved an abatement of the previous year's property taxes. Determined, I appealed to the Office of Hearing Examiners in Pierre. On July 21, 2023, Jeff sat across the table from me, alongside the Bennett County State’s Attorney and Deputy Director of Equalization at the time, as we presented our arguments before the judge. I believed I had made a compelling case by using a statistical analysis and providing the evidence of the diminished value due to the sewer damage. Ultimately, the judge upheld the original valuation.
Jeff knew I was disappointed. Yet he never allowed that disagreement to affect our friendship. That is what I admired most about him. He was never arrogant or prideful. He was fair, compassionate, and committed to serving the public. He genuinely enjoyed working with people for the common good of our community.
The frustration I experienced during the property assessment appeals—and the denial of my claim with the City of Martin—ultimately propelled me into the political arena. I concluded that if the government could damage my property without accountability, it could happen to anyone. As a testament to his character, Jeff was one of many who signed my petition to run for District 27 State Senate.
Jeff was genuinely happy that I was running. On the eve of the June 2024 primary, he saw me sign-waving at the four-way stoplight intersection and stopped to bring me a brewed tea he had picked up at the local grocery store. He was the first of many people who bought me refreshments while I was traveling across the district campaigning. I will never forget his thoughtfulness. That was the Jeff I knew.
Shortly before his passing, I stopped by his office at the county courthouse on January 8th of this year, hoping he would be the first person to sign my petition again after I decided to run for District 27 State Senate. I was surprised when I could not find him, as he was almost always there. I later learned from the Bennett County Register of Deeds that Jeff had resigned. I had not known that his battle with cancer had returned. From that day forward, I wondered how he was doing. Now I know – God had other plans for him.
Jeff was a true American patriot who gave of his time and will not be forgotten. My heart goes out to Shelly and Jeff’s family. Words cannot fully express how deeply sorry I am for their loss. I take comfort in believing that Jeff now rests in peace with his Creator, hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23).
You can read his obituary by clicking on the link: https://www.chamberlainchapel.com/obituaries/jeff-siscoe
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