Hollis Kellogg Jackson
May 14, 1929 - January 19, 2024
Hollis Kellogg Jackson of Sterling passed away at the age of 94 on Friday, January 19, 2024. Viewing will be held from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m., Friday, January 26, at Chaney-reager Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 27, at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Michelle Witherspoon officiating. A luncheon reception will follow in the church basement. Hollis will be laid to rest at Leroy Cemetery at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27.
Hollis was born May
14, 1929, in Sterling, Colorado to James Harvey Jackson and Jennieve Marie Kellogg. Hollis graduated from Sterling High School in 1947 and attended college at Northeastern Junior College and Colorado A & M. Like his father and his older brother before him, Hollis joined the military, serving in the Colorado Army National Guard as an infantryman from 1949-1957 achieving the rank of First Lieutenant.
During his service and college studies, Hollis met the love of his life and married Ruth
Eileen Dreier on October 8, 1950, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sterling, Colorado. To this union three children were born, Susan Eileen and twins Joan Elizabeth and James Emerit Jackson. To support his family, Hollis worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad in a career spanning 34 years, retiring as a Conductor.
Hollis enjoyed square dancing in his younger years. Some recalled watching him and Ruth dance as if they were "walking on clouds" and having the time of their lives. He also enjoyed woodworking and researching his family's genealogy in his spare time. He enjoyed coffee with friends, family dinners, reunions and picnics. Each
Christmas, he always looked forward to presenting a well-planned gag gift to a "lucky recipient" at family gatherings---his uproarious laughter always marked such occasions.
Hollis continued his public service beyond the military and set a quiet but steady example for others. He was a member, Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Sterling. He was also a life member of the Sterling Elks Lodge, a Master Mason of the Sterling Masonic Lodge, a retired member of the United Transportation Union Local 1136 and served on the Northeastern Junior College Board---a service he called a privilege.
Hollis is preceded in death by his parents,
Dr. James and Jennieve Jackson, his wife Ruth Dreier Jackson, father and mother-in-law, Emerit (Daisy) Dreier, brother James H. Jackson, Jr., daughter Joanie Jackson, siblings-in-law Doug (Ruth) Dreier, Wayne Dreier, Loren (Corinne) Dreier, and Doris
(Dale) Houck.
He is survived by his daughter Susan Jackson of Sterling, Colorado and his son Jim (Kelley) Jackson of Estes Park, Colorado, sisters-in-law Eunice Dreier of Sterling, Colorado and Lisa Jackson of Foster City, California. Nine grandchildren: Nathan (Janine) Robertson, Chris Underhill, Aaron (Bailey) Jackson, Jeff Underhill, Jessica (Nathan) Japp, Janelle (Dan) Dinsmore, Amy Deviney, Greg Underhill and Nick (Margie) Jackson. Eleven great grandchildren: Tristan Robertson, Faith Robertson, Nolan Japp, Pierson Japp, Liam Jackson, Caylee Dinsmore, Jackson Dinsmore, Easton Japp, Luke Dinsmore, Myles Deviney, Logan Jackson and a large extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins---all of whom knew his steady love and support.
Memorial contributions may be made in Hollis's name to the First
Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund or the J.H. "Doc" Jackson Memorial Room at Northeastern Junior College.