Joe A. Jackson, 80 of Harlingen, Texas, passed away into the Arms of Jesus on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at his home at Golden Palms Retirement Center. There will be no service locally, but a graveside service will be held at Peniel Cemetery, Joy, IL, at 1 p.m., May 24, 2025. Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home is in charge of his cremation and arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com.
Joe was born on January 18, 1944, the youngest son of Edward and Muriel Reason Jackson of Mannon, IL. Special recognition is given to Uncle Keith and Lela Reason who helped to raise Joe after the death of his father at the age of 9. Joe graduated from Westmer High School in 1962. He worked on the family farm until 1972 and, in June 1964, Joe was united in marriage to Sandra Kenney. They were blessed with two sons, Scott in 1968 and Bradley in 1971. They later divorced. After he left the farm, he went to work for Bert M. Lafferty Tuckpointing Co. where he became a foreman for Bert until Bert died. Joe then started a company of his own called Mississippi Valley Restoration in 1980. He was recognized by several agencies, to include the Iowa State Historical Society, for the work he did in restoring old brick buildings to their original historical status. He worked at tuckpointing and painting until his retirement in 2005.
On January 14, 1993, Joe was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Gardner and blended two families into one. Joe was known in his community if anyone needed help he was right there. He was a member of the Joy Volunteer Fire Department and also assisted the local police department. Joe’s greatest joy was spending time outdoors hunting and fishing and spending time with family. He loved the outdoors. He especially loved hunting with his two sons. What a special time. Joe and Ruth Ann did a lot of camping with friends and a lot of fishing and became Winter Texans until they moved to Texas permanently in 2016. They both loved the Rio Grande Valley.
He is survived by his loving wife of almost 32 years, Ruth Ann, and his children, Scott (Anita) of Lynn Center, IL, Bradley (Louisa) of Warrensburg, MO, Dave (Judene) Gardner of Muscatine, IA, Lori (Doug) Petersen of Bloomfield, IA, and Michelle Gardner (Tracy Hatfield) of Muscatine, IA. There are 12 grandchildren, Tes Loftus, Tyler Jackson, Trista Pourier, Loren Jackson, Caden Jackson, Avery Jackson, Josh Petersen, Brittany Garling, Jennifer Delaney, Heather Orozco, Amanda Radeke, and Melissa Peterson. There are 20 great grandchildren. Also not to be forgotten his sidekick, Pete, his pug.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Muriel Jackson, and his brother, Andy.