Richard Alan Jackson, age 69, passed away on March 10, 2025, peacefully at his home in McKinney, Texas with all his family at his side after a difficult battle with cancer. He was born on September 4, 1955, in New Orleans, Louisiana to his parents Dr. Van Rieves Jackson, Jr. and Margaret Elizabeth (Austin) Jackson.
Alan grew up in Sherman, Texas, where he graduated from Sherman High School in 1973. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology at Austin College and a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology at University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas. He later received his Master's of Technology with a specialty in Biology from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Alan married Brenda Diane Tencza on September 16, 1978. They were happily married for over 46 years. They spent a lifetime together in love, never apart.
Alan attended Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. He was a devout Christian, who loved God, his wife, children, grandchildren, brother, and family. He was devoted to his family. He loved spending time with his two sons, serving as their scoutmaster from Tiger Cubs to Eagle rank. Alan volunteered at every opportunity to help with his son’s activities, from academic competitions to building robots. He enjoyed traveling, especially on road trips, hiking, visiting national parks, museums, and other adventures with his wife, sons, daughters-in-law, and grandson, creating memories of a lifetime.
Working in the field of Medical Technology for 43 years, Alan worked as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, eventually becoming a Laboratory Director. Following his clinical work, his career led him to education, where he taught at Grayson College for 34 years as a professor. He served as the Medical Laboratory Technology Program Director for 23 years, retiring in 2021.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Van Rieves Jackson, Jr. and Margaret Elizabeth (Austin) Jackson, and his sister Patricia “Patsy” Jackson.
Alan is survived by his spouse, Brenda Diane (Tencza) Jackson of McKinney, Texas; sons, Dr. Richard Alan Jackson, Jr. and wife Katie, of Floydada, Texas, and Dr. James Austin Jackson and wife Skye, of Billings, Montana; grandson, Richard “Tripp” Alan Jackson, III; brother, Van Rieves Jackson, III, and wife Debra, of Edmond, Oklahoma; mother-in-law, Minta Grace (James) Tencza; many nieces and nephews; and a host of family members, friends, and colleagues who will miss him dearly and forever cherish his memory.
A family visitation will be held at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2025. A memorial service will be held at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Tom Wohlgamuth of Stonebriar Community Church at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, March 17, with interment immediately following at Ridgeview Memorial Park.