John William “Jay” Jackson (1932-2014)

JACKSON, JOHNSON, HAYES, BEDWARD

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 10/25/2014 at 13:41:15

From Bacon Funeral Home & Crematory obituary, Nevada and Maxwell, Story County, Iowa:

Obituary for Jay Jackson

John William “Jay” Jackson joined God’s Heavenly band on Tuesday evening, October 14, at Story County Senior Care in Nevada, Iowa.

Jay was born on September 19, 1932, in Kinston, Alabama to Andy Allen Jackson and Emma Lee Johnson.

He married Jeslyn Rae Hayes in Denver, Colorado on July 18, 1976. He worked in the lead mines of southwest Wisconsin and for several manufacturing companies in Iowa and Colorado. He retired from Donnelley Marketing in Nevada, Iowa in October, 1994, as a mechanic and then operated J & J Small Engine Repair Shop at his home in Colo.

At age 12, he got his first guitar and soon began a lifetime hobby of playing country and bluegrass music. In the 1950’s, while living in the Monroe, Wisconsin area, he played lead guitar and backed up many Nashville stars such as Jean Shepherd, Webb Pierce and Johnny Cash when they performed at local concerts. In recent years, he hosted the monthly Good ‘n Country Jam session in Colo, playing guitar and dobro as well as singing solos and duets with his wife Jeslyn. His other hobby was photography. He saw everything as a photo opportunity and seldom left home without his camera.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 38 years, Jeslyn; his son, John (Jessy) Jackson and granddaughter Haylee Jackson of Nevada, Iowa; his daughter, Linda (Randy) Bedward of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; and his stepson, Dennis Jackson of Watertown, Wisconsin.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Liza (in infancy); five brothers: Bud, Junior, James, Allen and Wilmer.

Memorial services will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Colo with Pastor Lewis Flanigan officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Colo Cemetery. Family will greet friends at the church two hours prior to the service.

Bacon Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements.

http://baconfuneralhomes.com/
 

Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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