John R. Jackson
September 10, 1943 - July 2, 2020
John R. Jackson, age 76, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 2, 2020.
Born in Sidney, Ohio on September 10, 1943, he was the son of the late James and Dorotha (DeRemer) Jackson. John was a graduate of Fairlawn High School in Sidney, OH, in a class of 24 students. He continued his education, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Ohio State University. John retired from the DuPont Company after 37 years of loyal service.
Strong in his Christian faith, John was a devoted member of Asbury United Methodist Church, where he was a visitation minister of the sick, choir member and member of various committees. John also served as the Camp Pecometh board president. In his spare time he enjoyed playing and watching sports, and going to the beach. He touched the lives of everyone he met. More than anything, John loved spending time with his family.
John is survived by his loving wife of more than 51 years, Janet (Lloyd) Jackson; children, Sheri Wood (Carleton) and Steven Jackson (Charlene); siblings, Nancy Thompson, Janet Schoonover and Virginia Burroughs; and grandchildren, Delaney, Aaron, Evan and Nathan.
The family will welcome relatives and friends from 4-8 pm on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at 215 Hope Court East, Bear, DE 19701.
Services and interment will be held privately.
In honor of John’s wishes, please do not send flowers. The family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association, 200 Continental Drive, Ste. 101, Newark, DE 19713, or the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, P.O. Box 1668, Wilmington, DE 19899.
Kathy Phillips
I worked with John at DuPont for many years. What a great guy and a loyal worker. I am so sorry to learn of his passing. Thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Matt Smith
So very sorry for the loss of a good man. I hope all can find a quick peace with his passing.
Glenn & Jane Tosten
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We loved John and always enjoyed our time together. There is no doubt that he has entered heaven and will be waiting to see all of us one day.
Cw
I first lost my Father in 1998 and now You! The two most important men in my life are now on to hopefully a better place without pain. I Loved you as if you were my own father. I will miss you so much but will always feel so grateful that you were such an important part of not only my life but my family’s as well. 😢
Kathy Wilson
May God be with you and hold you as you grieve the loss of John. I remember “Johnny” as an intelligent, smiling, and happy cousin. My prayers are with you.
Don & Arlene Reeder
This was such a sorry-full notice when I opened my messenger.😢
Please know you have our deepest sympathies.
Our prayers to all the family.
Sandy Morelli
I just wanted you to know my prayers are with your family!
Jeannie Brandli
Dr. Woods so sorry for you and your family. I know that you will miss your Dad you always spoke so well of him. Prayers for peace and comfort for you and your entire family.
Jeannie Brandli
Jean Ennis
John will truly be missed . Spending the last year in Bible study with John I was able to see the great person he truly was. John helped me understand parts of the Bible and for that I will truly be grateful , John you will be missed 😞
Mike and Sherry Fair
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. We were in the same class with John since the first grade. We had a small class of 24 and have so enjoyed our class reunions over the years. We spent our 55th just a few years ago and next year would have been our 60th. We will miss John’s smile. We so enjoyed each time we were all together. Our prayers will be with you Jan and your family during this time.
Helen Lewis
Dear Janet & family, So very sorry to hear of John’s passing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May he live on in the memories he left. Mark & Helen Lewis
Carol Pulgini
My heartfelt sympathies during this very difficult time. Sending you all love and keeping you in my prayers. Love you!!!!
Donna Orlando
I will miss John’s kindness, thoughtfulness, and caring. His insightfulness in Bible Studies has helped so many of us grow on our faith. I know that Heaven rejoices as he is welcomed home.
Sharon Brackin
Janet, I am so sorry for your lost and that of your family! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you for comfort and peace in your sorrow!
Prayers,
Sharon Brackin
Kevin Denneny
So sad to hear the news 🙁 What a great man. He was always a pleasure to serve on Emmaus team with. My thoughts and prayers to all his family and friends
-Kevin
Carol Turner Rollinson
So sorry to hear another of our cousins has departed. Prayers for all his family.
Barbara Geuy
Jackson family, I am so sorry. John was wonderful and I know you will miss him as will everyone who knew him. Our class will mourn the loss.
Larry & Doris Aultman
Sorry to hear about John. Our sincere sympathy. Larry talks often about going to Jim and Dorotha’s and playing with all the kids.
Larry and Doris Aultman
Ruthann Hockenbrock
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your dad will always be remember because he was so special
Donald Godwin
So sorry to hear of John’s passing, as a former Pastor I was blessed to work closely with John in many areas of the church. He and Paul Miller sponsored me on a Walk to Emmaus. God will have many good things for John after he catches up with many family and friends in heaven. God comfort you and the family Janet. Peace be with you.
Thomas W Davis
I was blessed to work with John for a number of years. He came to my rescue more than once on some less than “fun” projects. I also knew John from a number of local Christian organizations. He was a truly honorable man who made everyone feel special. His love of The Lord and for other people was evident in every area of his life. I feel luck to have known John. My prayers go out to the family. Praise the Lord we know we will meet with John again some day in heaven! Blessings, BigTom Davis
Larry & Joanne Fortner
R.I.P. a good and faithful servant.
Richard and Donna Bruce
A favorite memory of mine of John. When John was a young boy, he always seemed so happy and excited about life. This Spring, Donna and I experienced a visit from some Blue Birds. Blue birds reminded me of John, and a song he sang as a boy. It was Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah there’s a Blue Bird on my shoulder. His three sisters were His encouragers, and his greatest audience. It was always a joy for the Bruce family to visit the Joyful Jackson Family. John’s testimony is a compliment to God, Christ and his family. Prayers and love to you all from Dick and Donna Bruce.
Rowena Baker
My thoughts and prayers are with Jan and your family. Love Rowena
Yvonne Jackson, Peninsula Delaware Conference Lay Leader
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. It was truly my pleasure in knowing John over the years. We first met when we were part of the Board of Laity of the Wilmington District. He was always a cheerful and inspirational person. I always enjoyed our paths crossing when I went over to Asbury UMC. I also had the opportunity to see him singing at various locations. We would always introduce ourselves to other folks as Christian brother and sister with the same heavenly father just different mothers, (our Jackson name connection). I thank God that John was a part of my Christian journey. I will truly miss my brother. May God continue to be with you at this time.
Richard M Farmer Jr
We were so sorry to learn of John’s passing. What a great man and terrific member of Asbury Methodist Church. He served the church in so many capacities and could always be counted upon for his hard work and dedication. Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers go out to the entire family.
Janet Jackson Schoonover
Janet Jackson Schoonover
It’s September, 1943. Ginny is so excited because she gets to go to school and ride the school bus with Nancy and me. I’m in second grade and Nancy is in third grade. Mother goes to the Hospital and brings home a beautiful baby boy and we all fall in love with our baby! Daddy is working nights and Mother and Nancy go to the barn to do the evening chores. Ginny and I get dinner and watch the baby. We just sit and rock and we hold our baby! Ginny now does not want to go back to school and leave our baby! We three girls have always been in love with our brother!
Paula & Stephen Ross
Our deepest sympathy to Janet & family. John was a wonderful loving, caring & all around good person. He will be missed by all. You are in our thoughts & prayers.
Paula & Buzz Ross
Woodrow Herrin
Janet and Family we have you in our prayers and are so sorry for your loss of John. John & I worked together at Dupont both retiring after 37 years. He was a great individual with integrity, thoughtfulness and tremendous love for the Lord. We also knew John through the Emmaus Community of which he was so dedicated and active.
God is our compass,
Woodie & Ann Herrin
Carol Thompson
I had the pleasure to work with John in HR. What a nice super person he was. Always a smile on his face. I had opportunity to book vacations for him also
He will be sadly missed
Your family is in my prayers
Mark Deshon
Janet,
I was so sorry to hear of John’s death. I always held him in high esteem as a servant of God and brother-in-Christ and enjoyed serving with him on many a Walk to Emmaus weekend. Jo Anne and I pray that God will comfort and strengthen you during this difficult time for you. May God bless you and continue to make His presence known to you this day and every day.
De Colores!
Mark Deshon
Gene & Joanne Small
Praying God gives you comfort & strength. Our hearts are saddened, and we will miss John.
Kathy Wayne
Dear Janet and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. The entire Christian community will mourn his passing because he was such an asset to the community. He touched so many lives, friends and aquaintances will miss him!
Linda & Ken Martin
We were so sorry to hear of John passing. He was a very, caring and wonderful man. He did so much for Asbury Church and will be so missed. Our thoughts & prayers are with Janet and family 🙏🙏
Tom and Brenda Reynolds
Janet our prayers are with you and your family. We got to know John through different classes at church. He gave Us encouragement and inspiration at times when Tom and I really needed it. He will be missed so much but I know that God has a very special place for him in heaven where there will be no more pain or tears.
David and Diane Buchanan
In memory of a dear friend, and brother in Christ. Our heartfelt prayers go out to Janet and the whole family. He is greatly missed.
Billie Carroll
Our sincerest sympathy to John’s family. We have known him through the Delmarva Emmaus Community over the many years. He was always so warm and welcoming. He touched many lives. Billie & John Carroll
Joan Capriotti
I was so saddened to read of John’s passing. I had worked with John over the years in HR at DuPont. A kind and caring man who helped so many of us. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Mike & Toni Davis
Please accept our condolences in the passing of your love one, you are in our thoughts and prayers God bless you,
Ethel & Timothy Lewis
Janet, Tim and I want to let you know how sad we are that John has left you and your family and our church family for a much better place. God has been in the choir of Angels in Heaven and John is not suffering any longer. All of our love, Tim and Ethel
Carol Reeder
What a delightful video you posted. I am truly so sorry for your loss. John was truly a great man and I respected him a great deal. The Jackson Family was always the Perfect Family in my eyes. From the time I was a child I remember all the visits to our house and how happy everyone was. He stood out from the rest for sure. He was truly blessed with his family, all of them, but especially Janet, Steve and Sheri. It almost seems impossible to live without them, but trust me, you will never be far from his side. He will always be there watching over all of you. Debbie, David and Family, Char and Carl, you are also on my mind and in my prayers. I know how much everyone will miss him. His absence now because of God’s timing will only make you stronger. That Legacy Will Live on in each of you. I am just so so sorry for the anguish now. Lean on God if you can. He knows your heart better than anyone.
My sincerest condolences on your loss. You are All in my Prayers. Carol Reeder
Sean Lee
I just met John and he took me the process of becoming a Asbury member online. John was great and easy to get along with . The very short time i knew him he was a man of great character and wisdom. Pastor Sean
Paul Mooney
I only knew John for a few years but he made me feel like I’ve known him my whole life. I can say he’s one of the finest men I’ve ever known.
Steven A. Shustack
Sorry for your loss. I admired John for his perspective on life and working with others. I am honored to have known him. I have you in my prayers.
Frank A Ferriola
Janet and Family, Thinking of you in the loss of your loved one, John, husband and father, with the sympathy and understanding that words can’t express. May God’s peace be with you during this difficult time.
Debbie McGraw
John –
I was 10 years old when Janet started dating you, so you’ve been in my life for over 50 years. I wonder if you realized that when you married Janet, you’d be stuck with a tag-along little sister forever!
I liked you from the start. You were always nice to me and made me laugh. I remember a jacket you wore with initials JRJ on it, and I asked what the R in the middle stood for. You told me your middle name was Rupert and that made me laugh (and, of course, I believed you). It wasn’t until later that I found out you were pulling my leg and it was actually Roger.
Through these 50 years, we’ve made a lot of memories. Here are just a few that come to mind at the moment:
– Dad folding you up in the jack-knife sofa bed in our trailer at Strathmere while Janet was either feeding a baby or helping Mom cook her big breakfasts
– Me spending the night at your house, playing Mille Bourne, Aggravation or Pig Mania in the kitchen after Sheri was asleep in her crib. I remember falling asleep between my turns and you and Janet waking me up to take my turn
– Your calmness and strength amazed me when you spoke at Mom’s funeral. I remember thinking…how is he able to keep it together?
– Welcoming me and my children every single time you rented a house at the shore – man we had some good times – like the year you broke your finger before vacation and you had a splint on it. When you went body-surfing, all we could see was a finger sticking straight up out of the wave! Oh, and that same year we had a wild game of Spoons … one thing led to another … and you ended up flipping over in your chair …. and all we saw was your one finger sticking up! It still makes me laugh
– Playing Wizzards at the beach and making sure EVERY ONE followed the rules (LOL, Carl!)
– Playing Cheers Gov’na under the deck, in the rain, of the beach house in Virginia Beach
– You and the kids playing boggle on the beach
– Once in a while, you and I would end up being the last ones to leave the beach – enjoying the late afternoon serenity while everyone else had gone back to get showered for dinner
– Going on that camping trip for Sheri’s birthday where you, Janet and I slept in bunks in a one-room cabin. I made you look the other way when I peed on Janet’s bucket potty … and I had to hide my eyes while you got dressed in the morning. Good times!
– And last, but definitely not least, you have ALWAYS been my game buddy. I will always hear your voice saying … “ Let’s go McGraw, what game are we playing??” … At first I thought I may never be able to play another game because it will be too hard. But, as a family, we’ve decided that you would want us to continue doing the things you loved … and you will be right there with us … laughing with us and happy that we’re able to have fun while thinking of you the whole time.
I’m actually still in shock – trying to deal with this. My heart hurts for my Sister, who has lost her soul mate; your children and grandchildren, who will miss the kindest, wisest man they’ll ever know; your sisters, who have lost their baby brother; and everyone who’s life you have touched. You are leaving a hole that can’t be filled, however, we will do our best to continue living our best lives until we meet again. Be at peace, John.
Miss you & love you, Debbie
Betty Bartz
So sorry for your loss Janet. John was a beautiful person inside and out. He will surely be missed by all. Now he is singing in the choir with the angels and watching over his loved ones. Dave & Betty Bartz❤️
Edwina Travers-Ritchie
Sending love and light to you and the family, Janet, and wishing we could be there for you.
Love,
Winnie, JR, and Charlie Ritchie
Rosalie Whitehouse
John was such a wonderful man. I’m so sorry for everyone’s loss, sending prayers to all. Love, Rose
Jamie Snavley
Several years ago “Uncle Johnny” and Aunt Jan visited me in San Francisco. I’m so grateful I had that time to spend with them, and they got to meet my partner, Jerry. It was a real gift.
Virginia Burroughs
July 7, 2020 Today is the day of my brother’s funeral and I am still trying to used to that fact. My heart just aches for Jan and the kids and wish so bad I could hug them and tell them how much I loved John. It was so cute what my sister Janet said about our baby boy, that’s when that deep love must have started. John and Jan were there for me every important happening in our lives. Early when texting first started John and I have text often. He would tell me about a good book to read or just ask about our family. When our older sister became ill, he decided that he was going to call one of us each month and he did it too. When our son died there were lots of comments on the funeral website and my son’s daughter copied them and put them in a beautiful book for me. I hope Jan can reflect on how much John was loved in the same way. Reading through them as his sister just warms my heart. It still is a comfort for me to read through my book every once in a while. John will be surely missed by us, all of his family, but the day to day memories will be so hard for Jan, Steven and Sheri. They are in my prayers daily. Sincerely, Ginny
Jozlyn Klettlinger
So very sorry for your loss
Knowing your family, Johns love will live on in your memories and remain with you in a very special way. The love you all share is a testament to his loving guidance and kindness. Praying God holds you all in his loving embrace as you lay him to rest.
Les & Mary Ann Parks
Janet & Family, We are heartbroken to learn of John’s passing! What a “special man and Servant “ of the Lord, he was! We remember all the wonderful Emmaus weekends we shared with both of you❤️ And how thoughtful and caring John was to Les when he was “downsized “ by DuPont in 1993! You and your family are in our prayers during these sad days-We pray our Lord will keep you in His loving arms and bring you comfort and peace🙏! We love your family❤️
Doug Macy
So sorry to receive word about John !
We played a lot of baseball as kids over at Nicks and Jerry’s. Jan,Cheryl and I will keep you and your family in our prayers !
Doris McLean
I will miss you. You have been so kind to me. You have me courage to go on.
Jennifer Lynn Dacey
To the Jackson family,
I’m so sorry to learn of John’s passing and even sadder to learn of it so late. To say that John was a huge guiding force during my time at Asbury would be an understatement. I know and take comfort in the fact that he is in Heaven and was greeted with the warmest welcome. In Christ’s name and God Bless,
Jenn Dacey (formerly Travers)