Donald "Don" Jackson was called home to the Lord on March 14, 2009. He was born on August 17, 1935 in Shattuck, Oklahoma the son of Marion Eldon and Ida Eva Jackson.
Don grew up working on farms, ranches and in oil fields around Oklahoma. He graduated from Shattuck High School in 1953 then joined the Air Force. He was stationed in Nome, Alaska as a communication specialist during the Korean War. After his service he married his high school sweetheart, Coeta Mae Eagan and moved to Houston, Texas. Don and Coeta had two children, Dennis and Donna.
Don's working career was spent with the Johnson Space Center, NASA, in Houston during the race to put a man on the moon. He retired from NASA after 25 years of federal service.
After Coeta passed away, Don married Margaret McGinnis and adopted her son Allen.
He moved to Idaho in 2001 to live near his daughter Donna. His first love was his family. He was a true family man that spent many a day watching his grandkids in their sports activities. His second life-long love was fishing.
The things that defined his character were integrity, loyalty, love of family and his sense of humor. He was always able to make friends because he could make them laugh.
Don is survived by his daughter Donna McCullough and husband Marty of Soda Springs, ID, son Dennis Jackson and wife Debbie of Rowlett, TX; son Allen Jackson and wife Hadlee of Granbury, TX; sisters Ruby Duke of Norman, OK; Pearl Minnery of Pinedale, AR; Willa Elsman of Tulsa, OK and brother Cecil E Jackson of Fruita, CO.
Known as Papa or Grandpa, Don is survived by 10 grandchildren, Krissy, Don-Michael, Kaylee, Geneva Joe, Kathryne, Jodi, Taylor, Parker, Heather and Garrett. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his wife Coeta Jackson and a brother Clyde Jackson.
Services will be conducted on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Shattuck, Oklahoma with burial to follow in the Shattuck Memorial Cemetery.