(June 7, 1936 – August 25, 2024)
John William “Sonny” Jackson II, 88, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024 in Hico, Texas. He was born on June 7, 1936 in San Pablo, New Mexico, but grew up in Possum Grape, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Little Poole “L.P.” and Opal Waldie Jackson; wife, Haruko “Holly” Itomura Jackson; daughter, Joyce Jackson; grandson, Nathan Leamons; sisters, Winnie Rose Burns, Billie Sue Williams, Lois Osborn, and Betty Clevenstine; and brother, Edward “Buddy” Jackson.
He is survived by his daughters, Janice (Michael) Leamons and Cynthia (Greg) Leamons; son, John Jackson III; brother, David Jackson; 18 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
John served his country in the U.S. Army and, then, the Navy for 21 years total, retiring as a Navy Senior Chief. He was stationed in Okinawa (where he met and married Holly); Japan; Key West, Florida; San Diego, California; and Beeville, Texas, before finishing his career working for the ROTC at UT Austin. Upon retiring, he and Holly moved to Marble Falls.
John loved hunting, fishing, playing his harmonica, and writing poems. In Marble Falls, he spent a lot of time in his shop working with wood. He built enough birdhouses to create a backyard birdhouse trail. After Holly’s passing, John enjoyed taking daily drives through the countryside and visiting local shops where he would share quotes from a bundle of cards carried in his shirt pocket. His goal was to make others smile.
A graveside memorial service with full military honors is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 14th at Mount Zion Cemetery at 601 CR 330A, Bertram, Texas.
Be the first to comment