Jackie Robert "Jack" Frost

Jackie Robert “Jack” Frost, 75, passed away peacefully at his home in Bath Springs, Tennessee, on Friday, April 3, 2026, surrounded by family and friends.

Born October 5, 1950, in Red Bay, Alabama, Jack lived a life few could match and even fewer could forget. He began his aviation career in Madison, Alabama, in the 1970s, a path that would shape the course of his life. In 1972, he started his aerial application career, and in 1978, he purchased his first Air Tractor, marking the beginning of a lifelong passion for aviation. He later made his home in Arkansas, where he built not only a successful career but a legacy defined by passion, adventure, and an unrelenting drive to experience life to its fullest.

Jack was a highly respected Air Tractor dealer, one of only a handful of distributors in the nation, and spent much of his life in the skies operating a fleet of crop dusters. But for Jack, flying was never just work; it was part of a much bigger story.

Before retiring, Jack chased adrenaline wherever he could find it. He raced cars, horses, and even airplanes, mastering each with the same intensity he brought to everything in life. In the mid-1990s, he competed in the Reno Air Races, where he held a record for many years, flying his own plane, Frostbite, at over 229 mph, earning the respect of those in aviation and racing alike.

Jack trained racehorses across the country, including in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Kentucky. He owned Flying F Stables, which won many races and earned numerous honors, including Owner and Trainer of the Year. He also owned and operated Frost Farms, a catfish farming operation in Marianna, Arkansas, always building, always moving, always on to the next challenge as soon as he conquered the last.

Jack was also an avid hunter and highly skilled marksman, driven by a deep respect for the outdoors and the pursuit of something greater. He dreamed of traveling the world in search of the ultimate hunt, always chasing the next horizon. In 2023, he, Christy, and close friends set out on an African safari to hunt large game, a moment that embodied everything Jack loved: adventure, challenge, and sharing unforgettable experiences with the people closest to him. His trophy room stands as a testament to that passion, filled with mounts of exotic game from around the world.

In 2019, after retiring, Jack and Christy moved to the Tennessee River to begin a new chapter in cattle farming. It wasn’t long before he expanded into raising German Shorthaired Pointers and birds, including quail, pheasants, and chukars, proving that even in retirement, Jack was never finished chasing opportunity. He later purchased a helicopter and quickly developed a passion for it. Wanting to share that passion with others, he founded Mid South Helicopters in 2025 to make flying more accessible, continuing to inspire others right up until the end of his life.

To be around Jack was to feel excitement. There was always something happening, always a story unfolding. He was a true adrenaline junkie, a man who thrived on the thrill of the next pursuit, yet never lost sight of the people around him. A natural leader and gifted storyteller, Jack had a way of drawing others in, captivating a room with his experiences, humor, and larger-than-life presence.

But beyond the adventure, Jack deeply loved the life he and Christy built together along the Tennessee River. He cherished his community and was the kind of man who brought people together. He was the glue, hosting weekly dinners, filling his home with laughter, stories, and the people he loved most.

Jack’s life was forever tied to the Tennessee River. He began his life along its banks in Alabama and, in a full-circle moment, spent his final years living on the Tennessee River in Tennessee. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, you could find Jack flying across the water in his boat. If you didn’t look quick, you might miss him.

In 2021, he married his beloved wife, Christy, and together they shared a life rich in laughter and companionship. He was preceded in death by his mother, Arlene Dickson, and his grandparents, Otto and Carrie Farris. He is survived by his loving wife, Christy; his children, Scarlett Frost (Craig Anderson), Jack Frost Jr., Garrett Frost (Taylor Frost), Brittany Bell Roberts, and Garrett Mitchusson (Elyse Gregory); and his cherished grandchildren, Zoey, Haven, and Ace.

Despite all his accomplishments, Jack’s greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted grandfather who treasured every moment spent surrounded by those he loved most.

Jack Frost did not simply live; he pursued life with intensity, curiosity, and courage. He chased the sky, the land, and every challenge in between, never content to stand still and never afraid to begin again. He leaves behind not just memories, but a legacy of bold living, deep laughter, and a lasting reminder to all who knew him: life is meant to be lived fully, fearlessly, and surrounded by the people who matter most.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Operation SOAR, two causes dear to Jack’s heart.

A “Jack Style” celebration of life will be announced at a later date.