Gary Jackson
Gary Jackson, 77, of Jonesboro, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at the Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau.
He was born on Oct. 28, 1947, in Anna, the son of Jewell and Lucille Barker Jackson.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17, after persuading his dad to sign the papers. He served from Feb. 2, 1965, to Nov. 2, 1970, when he transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve. He served two tours in Vietnam and was proud of his service to his nation.
He joined and became a Life Member of the Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in the 1960s and remained a proud, active member until his illness forced his retirement as Quartermaster in August of 2024. The Marine Corps Birthday and Veteran’s Day were two things that couldn’t and wouldn’t be missed.
After he came out of the Corps, he married Jane Tripp and to this union three children were born, Kenneth, Cynthia and Kim.
He worked at Olin and Ford Motors in St. Louis and then they returned to Anna. He subsequently worked at the VFW in Anna for many years and with IBEW 702.
He married Linda Dawes Jones on Jan. 4, 1985.
He started work with the State of Illinois as a Food Service Supervisor at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna and then transferred to Shawnee Correctional Center until his retirement.
He is survived by his wife, Linda of Jonesboro; one son, Kenneth (Jennifer) Jackson of Bethalto; one daughter, Cynthia (Craig) Billings of Dow; the mother of his children, Jane (Gary) Nimmo of Godfrey; two step-daughters, Debi (Mike) Barnett of Lake of Egypt and Amy (Jonathan) Schott of St. Louis, Mo.; five grandchildren, Libby (Jeff) Spicer and their children, Kayden, Kailey, Korbin and Karson of Godfrey, Hunter (Lily) Billings of Godfrey, Megan (Adam Stewart) Jackson and their son Archie of Alton, Cort (Abby Veitch) Jackson of Granite City and Travis Barnett of Denver, Colo.; one brother, Roger Jackson of Anna; and two sisters, Doris (Wayne) Whiteside of Dongola and Pam Gee of Carterville; one sister-in-law, Linda R. Jackson of Karbers Ridge, Ill.; nieces, nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Kim; two brothers, Richard and Ronald; and two sisters, Dorothy Davis and Wanda Smith.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro, with the Rev. David Miller officiating.
Interment followed the funeral service at Ebenezer Hall Cemetery in Lick Creek, with full military honors by Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW and the Marine Color Guard. He would love for all memorials to go to Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 VFW in his memory, as it was such an important part of his life for over 55 years.
To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.
Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.