Howard Harrison Jackson
Howard Harrison Jackson passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Friday, January 31st at the age of 93 with his son Clay Jackson by his side and his grandson Oliver Jackson nearby. He was born June 18, 1920 in Powell, Texas, the youngest of six siblings, including Lois, James Albert, Jr. Lillian Cole, Virginia and Jerry who predeceased him. Howard Jackson was the son of James Albert Jackson and Lillian Cole Jackson of Powell, Texas, they being the children of Civil War veterans who immigrated to Texas from Virginia and Tennessee.
Mr. Jackson graduated from Powell High School in 1939 and enrolled at North Texas State College (now The University of North Texas) graduating in 1943. After brief employment with the Southern Pacific Railway and Penn Shipyard in Beaumont, he was employed by the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO; affiliated with Texaco) in 1944 for several years in Saudi Arabia. Upon returning from Arabia, he began farming and ranching in the Powell area where he lived the remainder of his life.
In the mid-1950's, Mr. Jackson began a teaching career in addition to his farming and ranching, and remained an educator in Powell, Purdon, Mildred/Navarro, and Kerens until his retirement in 1980. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Kerens ISD for a number of years and continued in the agriculture business until his death.
Upon his return from Saudi Arabia, he met and married Joyce Moore, of Purdon, Texas, who survives him after a marriage of almost 67 years. Howard Jackson is also survived by three sons, John H. Jackson and wife, Jan of Powell, Caleb C. Jackson and wife, Ann of Corsicana, and J. Clay Jackson of Powell; five grandchildren, Jim Jackson of Dallas, Timothy Jackson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Camille Jackson Baker and husband, Silas of Dallas, Jeff Jackson and wife, Kathryn of Kilgore, and Oliver Jackson of Corsicana as well as a number of nephews and nieces. Mr. Jackson also had the pleasure of knowing that two great-grandchildren are shortly expected. He was a member of the old Fifth Avenue Church of Christ and later the College Hill and Westhill congregations.
Howard Jackson was a man of varied interests- education, agriculture, history, politics, literature, and fishing. He communicated his interests and enthusiasm to all those who were acquainted with him, including his students, his family, and many friends. The family home in Powell, Texas became and remains a center of activity for the family and extended family. Mr. Jackson hosted the annual Christmas party in December with over 90 family members and friends attending.
Caleb and John Jackson wish to express their profound thanks to their younger brother Clay Jackson, who, without doubt, has greatly extended the healthy lives of their parents by his constant attention and complete care.
The family and friends of Howard Jackson believe that he will be sadly missed, but that his humor, wit, work ethic, and example will remain a continuing source of illumination and joy.
Visitation with the family will be from 1:00PM-2:00PMm on Monday, February 3, 2014 at Corley Funeral Home with the funeral service immediately following at 2:00PM in the Corley Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Sam Dilbeck officiating. Pallbearers will be Jim Jackson, Timothy Jackson, Jeff Jackson, Oliver Jackson, Silas Baker and Kit Herrington. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to any worthy charitable cause.