John Gordon Harr Jackson

John Jackson passed away quietly in his sleep on April 6th 2011, the complete opposite of how he lived his life. John would take his time and talk to all the tellers at the grocery store, make signs for the local high school and lecture his children, family and friends over and over and over again about politics, education, driving safely and money. John was born in Cory, Indiana to John Gordon and Nellie Margreta Jackson on March 7, 1946. This was the beginning of his journey as he helped on the family farm dreaming of far away places, gazing at the airplanes that drew him to his adventures as he drove a tractor back and forth. John attended Cory High School where his love of basketball was demonstrated as the ultimate Hoosier and Cory Apple Boy. He continued his love of basketball and participated in ROTC at Butler where he graduated in 1969, nothing made him more proud then watching Butler play in the final four this year. Then on to Officers Candidate School and pilot training which landed him in Topeka, Kansas. There he met and married Susi, his wife of over 38 years and where he stood by with a basketball in hand at the birth of his son, John Wesley. His journey around the world included such countries as Germany (when the US won in basketball at the Olympics) Italy, Turkey, Norway and too many more to name. Somewhere between the South Pacific and North Carolina, Colorado to be exact, he received a gift, a daughter, that grew into the love of his life and he had his own special nickname for her “Lulu.” The rest of us know her as Kelly Siobhan and to a select few “Turtle”. Notably he served his country in support of the Vietnam War and Desert Storm which afforded him the opportunity to see, visit and live in Taiwan, Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and countless others. Along side of this military career he joined Hawaiian Airlines and again opened doors to such areas as Australia and Japan. Somewhere in the midst of all his travel another gift arrived, a daughter named Ashley Justine who inherited his love of animals. Oscar and Sydney, his beloved dogs will miss their walks and treats more than anyone will know. This is only a brief description of the world he called his backyard with many more adventures and places unnamed. John is also survived by his three sisters, Shane Anderson, Greta Bechtel and Lorna Jackson. Reception to follow at the Benicia Yacht Club. Please do not send flowers, but support John’s love of animals by donating to the Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation at ARF, P.O. Box 30215, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598 or going to their web-site: www.arf.net. Arrangements are under the direction of Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, 745-3130, www.passalacquafuneralchapel.com.

John Gordon Harr Jackson

March 7, 1946 - April 6, 2011