CHARLES EDWARD JACKSON
Charles Edward Jackson was born on May 11, 1934, and died on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at 86 years young. His friends called him Ed and he did it right. He was a decorated military leader, serving in both the United States Marine Corps (Semper Fi) and the United States Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. During his time in the military, he traveled the world from Okinawa, Japan; Korea; Mildenhall, England; and numerous "tours" around the glorious United States - from Mather Air Force Base in California, several tours at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi, Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, and outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the national U.S. Air Force Recruiting Center.
Regardless of where Ed called home at the time, he was always an active member of his local church and loved helping others. Big project or smaller project, he was there with a smiling face and willing to help get things done.
For the last eight years, Ed held his own in a battle with dementia. Anyone calling him could be guaranteed an eventful game of guess my age! In January 2021, he caught the dreaded COVID-19 and, if it were not for the dementia, odds were certainly in his favor to kick it. The odds were stacked against him with that powerful combo, and he gracefully passed in his sleep on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021.
Ed loved learning and received his Bachelor of Science degree in printing management and his Masters in Business Administration. He was also amazing with numbers and dates, resolving complex calculations in his head and remembering obscure dates others would need to use their smartphones to recall.
He was born and raised in beautiful West Virginia with a quick-witted Baptist minister father, Waldo Jerman Jackson, and a funny, humble and loving mother, Shelley Isabelle Jackson.
Ed is survived by his wife, Marilu Jackson; his brother, Robert Waldo Jackson; his sister, Mary Ellen (Jackson) Kangas; four sons and daughters, Kenneth Lee Jackson, David Alan Jackson, Ann Marie Jackson and Valerie Susan Jackson; six grandchildren, Sally Ann (Jackson) Sportsman, Jane Marie (Jackson) Beyer, Molly Jo (Jackson) Braun, Paige Wyatt Seiber, Maria "Kate" Catherina Canares Jackson and Dominic Kyle Jackson; and one adorable great-granddaughter, Hattie Mae Sportsman.
On nice days, Ed sure loved to play golf. He always walked, kept the score in his head, and no one is really sure if he ever made a putt but he could "drag a putt in" from well over 10 feet. An amazing feat unchallenged in more than 20 years of play.
A graveside celebration of Ed's life will be held at noon on Sunday at Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.
You may view the service at www.bullockfuneralhome.com and clicking on the obituary of Charles Edward Jackson.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests any contributions be made in the name of Ed Jackson with the Make A Wish Foundation, 3550 N. Central Ave., Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85012-2127.
You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family's guest book.
The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.