Curtis David Jackson, of Sycamore, affectionately known as Pap, a man of deep faith, passed away Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was 84 years young.
Curtis was born Sept. 20, 1936 in Thomas, Kentucky, to Landon and Junie. He was a graduate of Oak Hill High School in 1954. He married the love of his life, Alta Faye (Hall) Jackson, on June 11, 1960.
He is survived by his wife; his children: Myron (Ana) Jackson, Tammy Siler, Rob (Carri) Jackson, Jane (Tim) Goodman; his sisters-in-law that were more like children: Evelene (Chuck), Irene (Jeff), Helen (Monte) and Anna; his sister, Audrey; his brother-in-law, Roy; his sisters-in-law, Rose and Mary Lou; his grandchildren: Landon (Betty), Lynsey (Dan), Brianna (Orion), Samantha (Jessi), Cassandra (Jack), Chelsea (Seth), Brittany (Charles), Erika, Laura, and Junior; his great-grandchildren: Luke, Daniel, Noah, Timothy, Catherine, Fulton, Atlas and Rhea; his nieces and nephews that were like grandchildren: Josh (Katie), Declan, Greyson, Gwen, Aaron (BJ), Jordan, Chase, Travis (Bri), Connor, Lilly, Ashley, Davin, Savannah, Lisa, Scott, Sandy (Roger), Shelly (Jared), Samantha (Randy) and children, Cassandra, Brice, Anthony, Evan, Hayden (Danielle) and children, Shelly, Bill and family, Sheila and family, Rick and family, Jessica and family, Adam and children, James and children, Tina and family, Melinda and family, Roy Jr. and family, Missy, Lisa (Scott), Kendra and family, Angie and family, Tiffany and family, Crystal and family, Kenny Ray and family, Nancy, Fernando, Elim, Luis, Irving aka Charlie; and many more cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Landon, Junie, and Effie; his brothers: Kermit, Clell, and Henry; his brothers-in-law: Gene, Delbert, and Ed; his sisters-in-law: Betty and Nora Jean; and his best friend, his dog, Jackson.
Curtis was a very proud veteran who served in the U.S. Navy (1955-1959). He was a radioman on the USS Brough (DE 148), a Destroyer Escort, which allowed him to travel around the world a total of three times. He was a proud member of DESA (Destroyer Escort Sailor Association) and the Tin Can Sailors. He loved swapping Navy stories and wearing his ship garb. The pride of his service has been honored in many ways, including being named “Veteran of the Day” on Dec. 21, 2017 at Walt Disney World and being selected to partake in the Honor Flight – Columbus to Washington D.C. in October 2019.
Curtis was a stunt car driver for the The Joie Chitwood Thrill Show in the late 1950s to early 1960s. He continued to be an avid thrill show enthusiast and traveled many miles to attend the shows. He was known for swapping stories and assisting with set-up and take-down without being on the payroll. When in attendance, he was always an honored guest.
He spent the majority of his career as a Master Plumber Pipe-fitter. He was a proud member of Local 42 Plumbers and Pipe-fitters Union. After retirement (which he never fully participated in), he still continued doing odd jobs and helping family and friends. He could always give a better quote than companies, especially with the help of “another guy” to do it. Little did you know when receiving that quote, you were always the other guy.
Curtis enjoyed working on loans and helping loan officers at the family-started business of Statewide Home Mortgage, Inc. He was a late-in-life college graduate of Terra State Community College in 2017 with an Associates in History. He was known at school for always being the first to raise his hand, being able to tell first-hand stories of the history being taught, and giving chocolates to each of his professors on the last day of class.
Curtis loved nothing more than spending quality time and playing cards and dominoes with his family and friends, watching sports (especially The Ohio State University Buckeyes), enjoying western movies, reading books, traveling, car rides, and swimming in the Florida sun. An avid fan of organized sports, he coached many different sports teams for his children and grandchildren. He had a special way of making everyone in the family feel as though they were the “favorite.” He never met a stranger, and if he did, they weren’t for long because he adopted them as family.
Curtis was loved by all who knew him and admired by those who knew of him. He is dearly and tremendously missed. He touched the lives of all who met him and his legacy will live on in the lessons he taught and the jokes he shared.
Due to current health conditions surrounding COVID-19, Curtis would have wanted everyone to be safe. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Terra College Foundation for a scholarship fund in memory of Curtis D. Jackson. This recurring scholarship will be for a retirement-age student with a passion for learning and love for education that would be unable to do so without this scholarship. Send to: Terra State Community College, 2830 Napoleon Road, Fremont, OH 43420
A collection of stories is being gathered to create an electronic book, which will be distributed at a later date. If you have ever had a story or a moment with Curtis, or even a quote, that you would like to share, please send it to: Soulofaman36@gmail.com.
“The harder you work, the luckier you will get.” –Curtis D. Jackson.
(Original quote by Joe Ricketts but words that Curtis lived by that made him one lucky man.)