Jerry “JJ” Jones Jackson
1916-2015
Jerry “JJ” Jones Jackson, 99, passed away on Monday, October 26, 2015. He was born in Forestburg, Texas on August 22, 1916 to Joseph and Lillie Mae Jackson, the last of their six children. When his mother died while he was an infant, he was lovingly taken to raise by his mother’s sister and her husband, Annie and Simeon Steen. He had a happy childhood growing up on their small family farm just down the road from his father and other siblings. It was there in the small community of Hardy that he met the love of his life, June Hutto. They were married December 6, 1941 the day before Pearl Harbor was bombed. JJ served in the artillery of the US Army during WW II helping to liberate the Philippines. While he was serving overseas, JJ & June’s first child, Barbara Ann, was born. After returning from the war and trying his hand at several jobs, JJ learned that he could get an education through the GI Bill. Believing that this was a great opportunity for his young family, which now included a son, Ronald Wayne, he embarked on his study of horticulture at Texas A&M where he graduated in 1952. One of his most prized possessions throughout his life was that Aggie ring! After graduation, JJ moved his family near Texarkana where he managed Tilson Farms, a cattle ranch and pecan orchard. Pamela Sue, their third child, was born while they were here.
JJ also worked for the Texas Forest Service when he managed the Indian Mound Nursery in Alto, Texas. He retired from the Texas Department of Corrections in 1976 where he had served as Farm Manager at several of the large prison farms. He and June spent the first of their retirement years enjoying life on Toledo Bend Reservoir where he became a champion bass fisherman and domino player on the square in Hemphill. Later they moved to Country Place in Pearland to be closer to their daughters. JJ promptly took up golf and found him some good poker buddies. He enjoyed that poker game until the end. During their retirement years they also enjoyed RVing and square dancing across America.
JJ touched many lives in a positive way. His happy disposition and teasing manner made him fun to be around. He loved his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many special nieces and nephews. In his last few months, he was cared for by a great team of caregivers for which he and the family were very grateful.
JJ was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lillie Mae Jackson and Annie and Simeon Steen, and his siblings, Joe Fate Jackson, Bailey Jackson, Luther Jackson, Ruby Wylie, Evelyn Hogan, and Enos Steen. He lost his beloved wife of73 years, June Jackson, in June 2015.
JJ is survived by his children, Barbara Mercer (Jim), Pam Hokanson (David) of Pearland, and Ron Jackson of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by grandchildren Scott Mercer (Sally) of Pearland, Brady Mercer (Mandy) of Denver, CO, Jerry Hokanson (Rowan) of Atlanta, GA, ET2(SS) James D. Hokanson-US Navy, Kim Hokanson-Cho (Vincent) of Boston, MA. Great grandchildren include William Mercer and June Anne and Henry Hokanson-Cho. Also surviving him are: Brotherin-law, T Don Hutto (Nancy) of Nashville, TN, Vincent Polvinale of Atlanta, GA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will be present to receive friends on Thursday evening October 29, 2015 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at SouthPark Funeral Home, 1310 North Main St. Pearland, TX 77581. The funeral service will be held on Friday morning, October 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of SouthPark Funeral Home. Interment will immediately follow at SouthPark Cemetery. Please visit www. SouthParkFunerals.com for additional information.