James Jackson

POLAND - Prayers will begin Monday February 17th at 9:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, followed by a funeral service at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church for Jim A. Jackson, 88, who passed away Friday afternoon at home surrounded by family and loved ones from complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Jim was born Aug. 15, 1925, in Mexico, Missouri to Clayborn and Frances (Johnson) Jackson.

He was a graduate of Mexico High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri and was a lifelong Tiger fan. Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served from 1945 to 1946 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Jim worked for Mex-R-Co, Kaiser and National Refractories for 40 years culminating as the Vice President of Sales. He retired in 1989. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, the Missouri Alumni Association, Poland touchdown club, and was former president of the Poland High School Boosters and the Poland Swim Club. He was a member of Holy Family Church.

He loved sports and was an avid tennis and bridge player. He also enjoyed watching sports especially when his children or grandchildren were playing. Jim loved taking his family on vacations to Long Beach, North Carolina and harvesting sand dollars. He enjoyed camping in the National Parks and cross country skiing through Poland Woods. He also vacationed in Florida with dear friends. He had a great sense of humor, taught his grandchildren how to do the donkey sound and play "dirty socks", enjoyed Cheez-Its, sweet rolls and East Carolina BBQ, and had a passion for hedge trimming. Most of all, Jim will be lovingly remembered for his devotion to his family.

Over the last year Jim was able to stay at home through the efforts of Home Instead and their Angels on Earth, the wonderful caregivers especially Carol, Maggie, Carmen, Carla, Elvie, and Gina.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mary F. (Bell) Jackson; a daughter Frances (Denis) Meinert of Pittsburgh; five sons, James Jackson of Houston, TX, Stephen (Robin) Jackson of New Orleans, LA, Joseph (Kathleen) Jackson of Fairborn, OH, Patrick (Dayna) Jackson of Houston, TX, and Christopher (Lori) Jackson of Cincinnati, OH; 19 grandchildren (Jessica, Justin, Brien, Ben, Mary, Brandon, Nick, Nathan, Mark, Katie, Amanda, Max, Aly, Alexa, Marcy, Brianna, Matthew, Eric, and Emma); and two great grandchildren (Jackson and Laina).

He was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law Shelley Jackson and a sister Jean Heiser.

Family and friends may call Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dave Pavlansky Scholarship Fund in his memory. Donations can be sent to Romeo & Assoc., CPA in care of Fred Romeo 11 Sheridan Rd. Poland Ohio 44514.