CORY — John E. Jackson, 67, of Cory, passed away at his residence Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, following a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Oaktown, Ind., on Nov. 1, 1942, to Emmett and Anne (Wilkin) Jackson. He graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1960, and attended Indiana State University graduating with a bachelor's degree in education.
During his college years, he worked as a musician with many local Blue Grass bands. Mr. Jackson served in the United States Army, the Americal Division. He served in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded in battle. He was honorably discharged as a retired Army sergeant. Following his return from the military, Mr. Jackson returned to ISU to achieve a master's degree in education.
He married Kim Antcliff, on July 25, 1984. He taught Industrial Arts at Otter Creek Junior High School. He served on the board of directors of the Fayette Bank and Trust in Connersville. Following teaching, he began farming in the Cory area until retirement.
In his free time, John enjoyed hunting, clay pigeons and skeet, driving his 1966 GTO, playing Blue Grass music, cowboy action shooting, and spending time with family.John was a member of the National Muzzle Loading and Rifle Association, participating in historical reenactments, a life member of the NRA and Ducks Unlimited, and participated in Hunters Helping Hunters. He taught, as a volunteer, hunters' safety classes assisting with Department of Natural Resources. The Indiana Hunter Education Association honored him as the district 5 volunteer instructor of the year for 2005. He also served on various conservation committees throughout the valley and as a volunteer at the Cory Apple Festival for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Anne.Survivors include his wife, Kim Jackson; sons, Christopher Wilkin Jackson and wife Maria of Sacramento, Calif., John Thomas Jackson and wife Puni of San Francisco, and Lt. Jacob A. Jackson USMC stationed at Quantico, Va.
Services will be at French Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Friday Jan. 29, 2010, with Mark Grayless officiating. Burial will be in Dale Cemetery in Connersville at 3 p.m. Graveside services will be provided by the U.S. Army, as well as Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Visitation will be at the funeral home Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. and again Friday from 9 a.m. until time of services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Service Organization (USO), 2111 Wilson Blvd. Suite 1200, Arlington, VA 22201 or online at www.uso.org.
