Mr. John R. Jackson, 83, of Plymouth, NC passed away peacefully June 29 at ECU Health's Palliative Care Unit.
John was a beloved family man. He was a husband, daddy, granddaddy, brother, uncle, and daddy-in-law. John met the love of his life Gloria Roberson at Plymouth High School. He was a member of the football team and she was a cheerleader - high school sweethearts! They got married on June 2,1961. After marrying, they moved to Newport News, VA where he was a welding apprentice at the Newport News Shipyard's Apprentice School. A few years later they moved back to Plymouth and he started his 35+ years career at what was then, Weyerhaeuser. He started out in the Forestry Department and then moved to Maintenance. He remained in Maintenance and became known as one of the best welders ever!
John was an avid sports fan. As a young man, he coached many young boys in little league football at Joyner Field. He also coached his daughter's little league softball team. He loved NASCAR and racing of all kinds, basically anything with a motor. He could frequently be found at McNair's Station working on the M3 car (with Big Shelton and then Little Shelton). He loved college football, basketball and baseball (Go Heels). He followed pro football. He was a Washington Redskins fan from long ago but once the Carolina Panthers joined the league he changed his tune. He would amaze you with the stats he could tell you on any given day, on any give sport!
People who knew John knew he liked to talk, But if you were on the phone with him, no matter how hard you tried, you could
not hang up. You would have to tell him "bye" or "good night" a minimum of 8 times!!!! But he was so loved and will be deeply missed.
John was predeceased by his loving wife, Gloria R. Jackson; mother, Mary F. Jackson and father, George L. Jackson Sr., along with his mother-in-law, Mavis B. Roberson and father-in-law, Carl B. Roberson, and his brother, George L. Jackson, Jr. He leaves behind, to cherish his memories, his daughter, Julie Jackson Bennett (Tony) of Plymouth; son, J. Michael Jackson (Ellen) of Raleigh; sister, Ellen J. Bruno (Craig) of Greenville, brother, Thomas G. Jackson (Kristin) of Charlotte, granddaughters, Mary Corinne Jackson Bird (Hilton), Jane L. Z. Jackson Raleigh, and Alison Bennett Hardison (Josh) of Jamesville, grandson Tyler S. Bennett (Brett) of Washington, and great-grandson, Brock L. Hardison of Jamesville.
There will be a gathering of friends and family, for John on Friday, July 5, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Washington County EMS at PO Box 96, Plymouth, NC 27962 or Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department at 775 US 64, Plymouth, NC 27962.
Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.
