Arthur Jackson

Art Jackson was my hero. He was also my dad. After living a rich and adventurous life, Art died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, July 10, 2009. He was 95 years old and had been a resident of Lemay Avenue Health and Rehab Center for the past 2 years. The love and care he was shown during that time by the Columbine Health Systems staff and most recently by his team at pathways Hospice means more to me than words can express. Art was born in 1914 in a small town near Mission, Texas. The second eldest of nine children, he went to Mississippi State University on a football scholarship and it was there that he met the love of his life, my mother Inez. They were married in 1939 and had 67 wonderful years together until she died in November 2006. This past spring, a bench was placed on the hill above Inspiration Playground at the east end of Spring Canyon Park to honor my parents. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Art enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He dedicated his life in service to his country and retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1966. He and my mom loved military life and the opportunities it afforded them to live and travel throughout the United States, Japan, and Europe. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Art joined the American Red Cross and was Chapter Director in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They moved to Fort Collins in 1973. Art was an active volunteer in each of the communities in which he lived. He was most proud of his membership in Kiwanis International and of having received its highest honor, The Hixon Award, for 50-plus years of service. In addition, Art was fluent in Spanish and he spent many years working with children at the Education & Life Training Center and in Poudre School District. He also helped implement Community Block Grants for home restoration and improvement in the Buckingham, Alta Vista, and Andersonville communities. My dad was kind, funny, and always in good spirits, laughing and joking with his family, friends, and caregivers until the day he died. He loved meeting people, listening to their stories and sharing his. Children were especially drawn to him. His legacy is one I will try to continue. In addition to myself, their only child Jan, Art is survived by grandson Eric Mulkey, his wife Carol-Ann and their two children, Tess and Jordan of Las Vegas, Nevada. Also surviving are brothers Sam, Luther, and Howard Jackson, and sister, Joyce McClure, all of Texas, and many nieces and nephews. No services in Fort Collins will be held. Cremation with his Dallas Cowboys memorabilia has taken place. For as long as I can remember, my dad's only wish when he died was to be sprinkled along the banks of his beloved Pedernales River near Austin. That I can do. In addition, the most fitting tribute I can give him is to have interment of his ashes and my mother's at Arlington National Cemetery. A private family ceremony with full military honors will take place in the spring. Memorial Contributions can be made to Kiwanis Club Poudre Golden K, P.O. Box 2335 Fort Collins, CO 80522. I encourage you to visit my parents' bench in Spring Canyon Park to reflect on how wonderful it is to love and be loved. On Thursday, July 16th, from 4 until 4:30 in the afternoon, unless it's stormy weather, I will be there if you'd like to come by and say hello.