VERO BEACH, Fla. — Richard R. Jackson, 88, left this earth peacefully on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, in Vero Beach, Fla., surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on May 29, 1921, in Whitaker, a son of Egbert and Christine Taylor Jackson. He leaves his loving wife, Edna Mae Altenbaugh Jackson, whom he married on July 24, 1943. He and Edna celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in 2009. Together they raised four children and were blessed with three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He leaves his children and extended family, Robert and Susan Jackson of New Castle, Nancy and Virgil Steadman, Bonnie and Kris Wetherell and Barbara Baker all of Vero Beach, Fla.; his three grandchildren and extended family, Michael Jackson and Jennifer “his favorite granddaughter” and Preston Flannery of New Castle, and Luke and Amanda Steadman of Vero Beach; and his three great-grandchildren, Ava Steadman of Vero Beach, Nadine Jackson and Payton Flannery of New Castle. He leaves his sister, Carol Martin, of Clearwater, Fla.
Richard was predeceased by his brother, Tom; and his parents.
Richard, whose family and many friends called him Dick, grew up in Whitaker, where he often joined other kids during his days off from school to play baseball. “It was a different time,” he would say, when a kid could simply head out on foot and be gone for the day with other kids. As the Great Depression set in, his family moved to Conneautville in order to supplement their livelihood by farming. After graduating high school, Dick worked as an iron worker for Carnegie Steel Co.
In 1943, at age 21, Dick joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he completed his primary training flying the Boeing, PT-17 Stearman in Chico, Calif. Shortly after completing primary training, he and Edna Mae were married. He then completed his advanced training in the North American AT-6 Texan. He advanced to flight instructor in the AT-6 and later became an instrument instructor in the same aircraft. He also became a multi-engine instructor flying the Cessna UC-78 Bobcat, better known as the Bamboo Bomber. His training and instruction based him in Chico, Yuma, Ariz., and Bryan/Lubbock, Texas. When the war ended, Dick found he had flown enough and was not to pursue it any further during his life. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant on Nov. 7, 1945, after two years of service to his country.
After the service, and while living in Wilkinsburg, Dick and Edna started a family. In 1957 they relocated to Conneaut Lake, where they purchased an 82-acre farm. While they did not farm for a livelihood, the family raised and cared for several farm animals including cattle and horses. It was here they raised their family and lived until retirement.
Dick had a genuine and honest way with people. This facet of his personality led him to become a very successful salesman. During his working years he met many people who became lifelong friends. Dick and Edna traveled extensively and made numerous trips to Florida. They soon discovered that this was where they wished to retire. They moved to Vero Beach in 1974 part time and later made it their permanent home.
Dick loved animals, dogs in particular, and had several in his life that were very special to him. He was an avid golfer, loved to fish and like many fisherman, loved to tell a good story. He had very fond memories of fishing in Canada with his wife and good friends. He loved spending time with his golf buddies on and off the course. Dick loved people and considered his relationships with them to make him a very lucky man. He found the love of his family and his many friendships in life to be the real key to his happiness.
At the request of the family, there will be no formal service. The family will receive friends at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home, 1655 27th St., Vero Beach, on Monday between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Vero Beach, PO Box 644, Vero Beach, Fla. 32961, in memory of Richard R. Jackson.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.lowtherfuneralhome.com.
