Jackson, Benjamin L. Jr. 1922 - 2018

JACKSON, SHANNON, EATON, BILLICK, TUPY, GATES, PETER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:26

Ben Jackson, age 96 of Cresco, Iowa passed away Friday, June 22, 2018 at Regional Health Services of Howard County.

Benjamin “Ben” L. Jackson Jr. was born January 20, 1922 in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Benjamin and Alice (Shannon) Jackson Sr. He graduated from Cresco High School in 1942. Ben served in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1942 until 1945 during which he earned a Bronze Star. He served in Merrill’s Marauders under General Frank Merrill in Burma engaged in jungle warfare against the Japanese. His love of the military stayed with him his entire life as he was a member of the Cresco American Legion for 50 years and a member of the VFW for over 70 years. Also Ben served as the Commander of the Local Post and Commander of the 3rd District. One of the highlights of his life came in 2013 when he participated with a granddaughter in a Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

When he returned from serving overseas he married Margery Eaton in her parents’ home on July 15, 1945. Ben worked in the Road Maintenance Department for the State of Iowa for 30 years. During retirement he and Margery spent 26 winters in Texas. Ben was an expert when it came to detailing cars especially with the wax jobs. Ben loved to cook and grill out and always looked forward to see his grand and great-grandchildren.

Ben is survived by his wife Margery of Cresco; five children: Ann (Ralph) Billick of Tipton, IA, Jean Jackson of Marion, IA, Judy (David) Tupy of New Market, MN, Robert “Oscar” (Patty) Jackson of Cresco, Marian “Rose” (Tim) Gates of New Prague, MN; eleven grandchildren: Kim, Mike, Shelby, Sara, Luke, Kelsey, Mitch, Chad, Jamie, Rachel, and Jennifer; seventeen great-grandchildren: Maggie, Madalyn, Mike, Audrey, Ethan, Graham, Cale, Drew, Ben, Jackson, Carson, Bryce, Olivia, Mason, Lexus, Alayna and Alex; a sister, Frances (Dever) Langholf of Albuquerque, NM and further survived by Margery’s sister, Gwen (Arnold) Peter of Cresco.

Ben is preceded in death by a parents, and 6 siblings: Dorothy, Mary, Opal, Wilbur, Frank and Agnes, and further preceded in death by Margery’s sister Nancy (who was married to Ben’s brother Frank).

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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