Arnold Ray JACKSON

JACKSON, BERHOW, ACKERT, HEMAN, ERICSON, EGE, WORMAN, VOLKMANN, ROBERTSON, SEDGWICK, ACORD, CANTRELL, LANDON, HIEB, BUTLER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/7/2010 at 22:10:35

Yakima Herald-Republic - Yakima, Washington
March 1, 2007

March 17, 1937 ---February 27, 2007

Arnold Ray (Arnie) Jackson
Keith & Keith Funeral Home

YAKIMA, WA - Arnie Jackson, 69, passed away in his home in Yakima Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 11:30 A.M. surrounded by his family. Arnie was born in Britt, Iowa March 17, 1937 to James Alvin Jackson and Clara Adeline (Berhow) Jackson. Arnie attended school in Iowa as a child. He was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church in Corwith, Iowa on February 1, 1953. His family moved to Yakima where they worked in the fruit industry. Arnie graduated from Moxee High School in 1956. He worked at the Chinook Hotel as a waiter and bartender. He graduated from Perry Trade School in 1965 as an electrician. He was employed at Picatti Bros as an electrician for 34 years, becoming manager of ISE, (a division of Picatti Bros) in 1994. He retired in March of 1999. On July 28, 1956 Arnie married Carol Jean Ackert. Together they had two children: Arnold H. Jackson and Debbie J. Jackson. Carol passed away on December 7, 1981. On December 31, 1983, he married Linda J. Heman, a widow with two children; Kenny W. Heman and Kristin L. Heman. Linda passed away May 2, 1991. On January 15 1994 he married Jean A. Ericson, a widow with two children; David A. Ege and Robin Jean Ege.

Arnie enjoyed a variety of activities with his family and friends. He was very proud of his family. He loved doing things for his children and family, was always there with support and help no matter what. The phrase step-children was not in Arnie's vocabulary - they were all his children and he loved them all equally. He was our pillar of strength. Words cannot express the love and devotion he had for family and friends. He had a special bond with each one of them. He was happiest when all the kids came home. Christmas was a great time with 24 stockings hanging on the mantle - this included all the children, husbands, wives and grandchildren. Many wonderful parties and gatherings with family and friends were held at the family house in Yakima. As Dad, Uncle Arnie and grandpa he was a favorite of all. He enjoyed boating and water skiing at the family cabin in Sunland teaching all the kids to water ski. He loved riding his Gold Wing motorcycle, touring many miles in the United States, as well as a 5000 mile Gold Wing tour in Australia with his wife Jean. Upon retirement, Arnie and Jean, along with their special friends Glen and Mary Worman, took their 5th wheels on a trip to Alaska and back. Upon returning from Alaska, Arnie and Jean continued traveling in their 5th wheel around the United States for six months, including going back East to see the fall colors. For the past five years they have spent the winters in Quartzsite, Arizona doing many interesting things including exploring the Arizona desert on their quads.

Arnie was preceded in death by his dad and mom; 2 brothers Al and Jay; sisters Velda and Janice; and wives Carol and Linda. Survivors include: his wife Jean of Yakima; son Arnold H. Jackson and wife Corinna of Naples, Florida; daughter Debbie J. Volkmann and husband Kyle of Spokane; son Kenny Heman and wife Sandy of Yakima; daughter Kristin Robertson and husband Tim of Santa Ana, Calif.; son David A. Ege and wife Deanna of Raymond, WA; and daughter Robin Jean Sedgwick and husband Shan of Yakima, WA.; sister Helen Acord of Selah; sister Celia Cantrell of Ceres, Calif.; sister Sharon Landon and husband Jerry of Kennewick, WA; and brother Leonard Jackson of Lacey, WA.; his Grandchildren: Aaryn Volkmann Hieb and Husband Adam; Kassica Volkmann; Wyatt Volkmann; Mykael D. Jackson; David Cap Sedgwick; Tucker J. Sedgwick; Nathan N. Sedgwick; Drew Ege; and Katrina Ege as well as many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by special friends Glen and Mary Worman and "Babe" Marlene Butler. Arnie was excited to learn that his daughter, Kristin, is expecting a baby in July of 2007 making that baby grandchild number 10.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Vicky Jones and the staff of North Star Lodge as well as Memorial Home Care Hospice Services for the kindness and loving care shown to Arnie. Arnie's valiant struggle and enduring strength, and support to his family and friends during his illness, were an inspiration to all who knew him. Unfortunately for him, and us, the cancer wore him down and won. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Words cannot express how much we will miss him.

Arnie's wish would be: Do not stand by my grave and weep-I am not there. I am a thousand winds that blow; I am the diamond glint in the snow; I am the sunlight on the ripen grain; I am the gentle autumn rain; When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds; I am the soft starlight at night.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to North Star Lodge or Memorial Home Care Hospice Services. This may be done in care of Keith and Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Avenue, Yakima WA 98902. Arnie's funeral will be at 1 P.M. Friday, March 2, 2007 at The First Baptist Church of Yakima, 515 E. Yakima Avenue. Burial will follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. Keith and Keith Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.