James Riley

Jackson

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IN LOVING MEMORY

James Riley Jackson

Jul 06 1926 - Jan 11 2020

James Riley Jackson passed away on January 11, 2020 at the age of 93. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, January 31, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Chapel of Leonard. There will be a Celebration of James’ Life visitation Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at the Venue 78, located at 206 E. Fannin Street, Leonard, Texas 75452. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.

James was born July 6, 1926 in Leonard, Texas, the son of W.A. and Jimmie Lee Jackson. His mother died of cancer when he was 4 years old. Subsequently, W.A. took a second wife Myrle.

James is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Margie and Larry Shelton. They have done everything they could to make sure James was able to stay in his own home. Thankfully, he peacefully passed away at home in familiar surroundings.

Also, he is survived by sisters-in-law Marilyn Jackson and Pat McGee and numerous nieces and nephews. James was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years Jo (only 10 months ago) and his daughter Marian, as well as five brothers Dean, J.W. (Bill), Fred, Chester, and Bill McGee.

James served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as an electrician on YMS & LCI. As you can imagine, he got off mine-sweeping duty as soon as he could!

After military service, he worked as vice president of Sikes Construction Company for 35 years. He also became a partner in a real estate company JMS (Jackson, McDonald & Sikes). James loved the construction business.

After retirement, James & Jo moved back to Leonard & were active in the 1st United Methodist Church. He supervised construction of a new parsonage & educational building for the church. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge Grove Hill 373.

James’ hobbies included hunting, fishing, bowling, reading and gardening. He & his wife Jo loved to travel and enjoyed gambling at casinos & playing poker. One of the things he liked most was to sit in the front yard on a hot day with family and friends and have a cold beer.

James and Jo loved their pets: Waggles, Rags, M.G, Piggy, Tricks and his last dog Max who always watched over him. James will meet them soon on the Rainbow Bridge with all his loved ones who have gone on before. He will be missed by family and friends.

The family wishes to thank Home Hospice serving Grayson, Cooke and Fannin counties. Their wonderful team of special nurses, doctors, social workers, and caregivers made James’s last few months so much easier!

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