James was born in Nashville, Arkansas on May 6, 1928, to Willie Edd and Naomi Murrell Jackson. He married Jo Ann Humphries on June 26, 1953, in Dallas, Texas. He served his country with the U. S. Navy, joining at the end of WWII with his mother's permission at the age of 17. He was aboard ship during Operation CROSSROADS when the atomic bomb was being tested at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. James learned to fly a single engine airplane on the GI Bill. While courting Jo, Jim would land his airplane in the pasture of her parents' farm. She would have to run the cows and horses out of the pasture so he could land.
Known as the guy who could fix anything by his family and friends, Jim could take a rust bucket car engine completely apart, clean/fix the parts, and put it back together to run like a dream. He worked his way up to a supervisory position in the Special Projects department at E-Systems Garland. Jim was a fishing enthusiast having traveled as far as Lake of the Woods in Canada to Lake Guerrero in Mexico in search of the ultimate big bass. Jim and Jo would have been married 71 years this June and have been an amazing example of love and compromise. He was of the Methodist faith.
James is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Jackson; daughters, Shelley Townsley and husband, Rodney, Nanette Freeman and husband, David, son, Vic Jackson and wife, Kathy, Debbie Hagans and husband Harold; grandson, Reece Townsley.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Lowell Jackson.
Condolences(2)
Corlene Jackson
San antonio, TX Wednesday, July 3, 2024 My condolences to any remaining family. I only meet him a couple of times while he was visiting my dad (his son James Lowell Jackson). I do remember him trying to make me laugh. I'm so sorry for your loss.Karen Robert
Kerrville, TX Friday, May 10, 2024 To the family of James Jackson -I am so sorry to hear of his passing and your loss. May our Heavenly Father bring you the peace and comfort that only He can bring.
Back in 1999 Jim came to Kerrville to help his son Vic (who is married to my sister Kathy) install all the copper and plastic plumbing in the home my late husband Larry and I were building. That was the one and only time I met Jim. He brought his trailer when he came and he and Vic stayed in the trailer and were able to have a great week. I remember Jim as a soft-spoken, gentle, kind soul who was willing to do anything to help and he had the talent in the skills to do it. His help was so appreciated and I thought of him many times over the years. Thank you for sharing him with us for that week. God‘s blessings to you all.