Gary Lee Jackson

Gary L. Jackson, 70, of Waukon, IA, died Monday, June 10, 2019, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 15th, at 11:00 AM at Calvary Baptist Church in Waukon with Pastor Bob Etzel officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 AM until time of services at the church on Saturday. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests memorials be made out to the Gary Jackson memorial fund; all memorials will be given to the Allamakee County 4H beef show.

Gary Lee Jackson was born October 20, 1948, in Waukon, IA, the son of Lyle Andersen and Wilma Erika (Tolander) Jackson. He was baptized at Center Baptist Church in rural Lansing, IA, graduated from Waukon High School in 1966, and attended Iowa State University in Ames, IA. On April 18, 1970, he married Sharon Kay Johnson at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon. Gary and Sharon farmed in rural Waukon for many years. He also worked road construction throughout Iowa and Minnesota.

Gary enjoyed playing cards, fishing trips to Canada, eating out, going for coffee in the mornings, and taking rides throughout the countryside. He loved spending time with his family, especially with his grandchildren. Gary raised beef cattle which lead him to an overwhelming passion for the beef show industry. He instilled this passion in his family and was extremely proud of his grandchildren and all they accomplished through showing livestock. Gary would make frequent phone calls to his kids and his first two questions were always "how are the little kids doing?" and "how are the cattle?" Even in his declining health, he could be found at the Allamakee County Fair every year, supporting and encouraging youth to do their best. He believed strongly in the positive lessons learned by working with and showing quality cattle.

Survivors include his two sons: Lyle Eric Jackson and Joseph Earl Francis (Sarah) Jackson, both of Waukon; a step-daughter Jennifer (Jeff) Ira of New Hampton, IA; two grandchildren: Tucker and Taylor Jackson; two step-grandchildren: Leslie and Kathryn Ira; his siblings: Lyle Francis (Phyllis) Jackson of West Union, IA, Darla (David) Anderson of Pella, IA, and Dean (Mary) Jackson of Waukon; two brothers-in-law: Elliott Wolfson of Waukon and Steve (Deb) Johnson of Waterloo, IA; and a special friend Rose Magner of Waukon. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Sharon, who died in 2010; and two sisters: Juliann Wolfson and Gloria Jackson.

Honorary casketbearers are Tucker and Taylor Jackson and Rose Magner.