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Lt. Col. George E. Jackson Jr.

Started by ironputts, August 03, 2018, 03:57:00 PM

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ironputts



Aug. 2, 2018

Lt. Col. George E. Jackson Jr.
Greeneville Composite Squadron
Tennessee Wing

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) George Edward Jackson, Jr. went home to be with the Lord on July 14, 2018, at the age of 84. He was a member of Centenary Methodist Church and attended Trinity Free Will Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Lucille Jackson, and nephew, Chris Bolton. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and sons: Michael Jackson (Kristy), David Jackson (Wendy), Reed Jackson, and daughter, Mallory Jackson. Stepchildren: Leonard Parsons (Andrea), Brooke Parsons Carter (Keith), Tyler Parsons, Drew Parsons (Tracy). Grandchildren: Bronwyn Jackson, Samantha and Thomas Jackson. Stepgrandchildren: Leandra, Molly, Landon (Jake), and Lillian Parsons. Sisters: Sara Liller (Charlie) and Deborah Bolton (Jim). Nieces: Tammy Goetluck, Sara Fann, and Rebecca Gallman. He had a special friend, Fain Bennett, and a fondness for a special dog, Sport. A native of Tampa, George attended Hillsborough High School, University of Florida, University of Tampa, and East Tennessee State University. He earned a B.S. in Psychology and Masters in History. He had a military career spanning almost 30 years, starting with 2 years in the Navy. He began in the army as a Warrant Office One, was a Military Intelligence Officer, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served in the Vietnam War, mainly flying Caribou as an Army Aviator. After military retirement, he started his own company, East Tennessee Community Corrections, working with parolees.
His military awards and decorations include: Army Aviator Badge, National Defense Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal (7th Oak Leaf Cluster), Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Expert (Rifle-M16A1), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Meritorious Unit Citation, Meritorious Service Medal, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal. From 2000 to the present, George was a member of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). He was asked to be the Squadron Commander of the declining Greeneville unit, which successfully revived under his leadership. He was involved in Boy Scouts for many years and became an Eagle Scout, along with 3 sons and 2 stepsons. He was a member of the NRA. George enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, boating, skiing, and his cabin. He traveled the world, but his favorite was the mountains in East Tennessee. He took up running road races and earned many trophies. Growing up on a lake, he was an excellent swimmer and lifeguard. As a professional water skier George set a world's record by skiing 2000 miles down the Mississippi River on Sept 4, 1960. But most of all, he loved airplanes. Recently, he had designed plans to build his own.
George was a tough soldier with a tender heart. He believed in being honest, no matter what. He was more than willing to help others in need, such as stopping along the road for help with car trouble or deliver Thanksgiving meals. He loved his family and prayed to see them all in heaven.
Greg Putnam, Lt. Col., CAP