Albert Edward Jackson Jr., born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Elizabeth Hastings Jackson and Albert Edward Jackson Sr., died peacefully on Sunday, June 18, 2017, at the age of 94.
He spent his early years living in Maryland and Delaware until he enlisted in the Army in 1942 and served in the 331st Infantry Division in England, France and Germany during World War II until his Honorable Discharge in 1945.
He never spoke of his experience in the war, and it is only in recent years that we learned that he earned five bronze service stars for his participation in battles at Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe and the Normandy Invasion at Omaha Beach, for which he also earned a Bronze Star Medal.
His skills as a mechanic carried over from his military service into private sector. He owned his own automobile repair business and became well known for being able to fix anything with a motor. Later in his career he became a hydraulic specialist working on sawmill and logging equipment.
He was a long-time member of the VFW and a member of the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Ohio, Pickaway Lodge No. 23 in Circleville.
He raised Beagles and was an active member of the South Central Ohio Beagle Club, where he enjoyed entering his dogs in the field trials.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 73 years, Ruth Virginia (Canter) Jackson; and their two daughters, Teresa (Jerry) Reynolds of Morehead City, North Carolina, and Denise (James) Samolchuk of Manchester by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. He also has three granddaughters, Talisha (Michael) DeSantis of Newport, North Carolina, Chris (Duncan) Kimbro and Tina (Charles) Boahn, both of Morehead City, North Carolina. He will also be missed by his six great-grandchildren, Krista (Nick) Ethridge of Newport, North Carolina, Dustin and Daniel Boahn, Faith and Ruthie Kimbro of Morehead City, North Carolina, and Dakota DeSantis of Newport, North Carolina; and two great-great-grandchildren, Joseph Nelson and Laylah Ethridge of Newport, North Carolina. He is also survived by a cousin, Jean McGee, of Bridgeville, Delaware.
He was predeceased by his parents; a sister; and a grandson, Michael Edward Wells.
He will be remembered as hard-working, honest, kind and gentle, and he will be missed by his family and anyone who had the pleasure to know him.
A graveside memorial service is planned for a future date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hill Funeral Home, Kingston. Condolences can be made on Albert’s online guest registry at www.hillfhkingston.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
