John L. Jackson

RONAN — John L. Jackson, 58, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend died peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Round Butte on June 10, 2005, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer and diabetes.

He was born Sept. 5, 1946, at the family ranch in Round Butte to Jim and Neva Jackson. He joined three brothers, Lynn, Lloyd and Cecil. The family moved to Post Creek where they ranched until 1952. They then moved back to Round Butte and bought the place north of the Round Butte School where he attended grade school.

John attended High School in Ronan, participating in football, track, FFA, R-Club, Fireman Club, Student Council, Travois, and excelled in the girl watching club. He graduated from Ronan High School in 1964.

On Sept. 13, 1964, he married the love of his life, Judy D. Lockwood. He built their home on the Round Butte hill when he was 18 years old, where they raised their family and still reside. They had five children, Shawn Lee, Johna Dee, Pamela Catherine, John Andrew and Sandra Jo.

In addition to ranching, he worked for Teslow Inc. feed store until 1967. He helped start a 50-man fire crew and fought fires in 1967 and 1968 in Montana, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Wyoming. He worked for the Dupuis Sawmill, the Polson Stud Mill, and Western Montana Implement.

He then worked for Price's Construction for over four years helping build the new curb and gutters along Highway 93 from Cenex to Lake's Corner in Ronan. He went to work for a construction company and helped build the Ronan State Bank, Lindburg's Pharmacy, Don Aadsen Ford, and the old Dairy Queen, Ronan Auto Body and the Cenex building.

Around 1973, John and Judy bought 200 acres and expanded their cow/calf operation. His first calf crop contracted for 20 cents per pound for steers and 18 cents per pound for heifers. Last fall he sold his calf crop for $1.08 per pound and $1.06 per pound, the best price he had ever gotten.

In 1983 he started attending crop adjusting school and became a Federal Crop Adjuster. He adjusted crops for numerous companies in Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon until the summer of 2004.

Although John was often faced with setbacks and challenges, he remained optimistic, however difficult it was. He always saw the positive side in everything and taught his family to do the same. His heart of gold, twinkling blue eyes, nicknames, songs and laughter will be greatly missed.

John enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing with his friends and family. He enjoyed the campfire tales as much as the hunt and passed his love of the outdoors on to his family. He will be greatly missed around the fire.

Left to carry on his memory are this wife of 40 years, Judy; children Pam (Will) Harris, Andy, Sandra (Keoki) LopezdeVictoria; nine grandchildren, Monty (Abigail) Harris, Michelle (Jacob) Sharbono, Brett Harris, John LopezdeVictoria, Cassandra Harris, Lane Jackson-Perez, Twilynn LopezdeVictoria, Abbey and Eli Jackson; his brothers, Lloyd (Sally) Jackson, and Cecil (Leona) Jackson; father-in-law, Don (Darlene) Lockwood; numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family.

John was preceded in death by his infant son and daughter Shawn and Johna; parents, Jim and Neva, and brother Lynn; infant grandchildren Nathan and Hope, and his grandparents, Ed and Essie Jackson, and Louis and Emerence Clairmont.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., today, June 16, at the Round Butte Women's Clubhouse, 8 miles west of Ronan on Round Butte Road, with reception to follow. A private family burial of ashes will be held at a later date.