James Edwin Jackson
May 6, 1928 - May 7, 2024

James Edwin Jackson of Garland, peacefully passed away at his home on May 7, 2024, one day after his 96th birthday. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Memoryland Memorial Park with Pastor Stan Coleman officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time, at the funeral home.

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.

Obituary Provided By:



5100 Interstate 30 (at US-69)
Greenville, TX  75402

www.coker-mathews.com

903.455.4110