Jeff Jackson
Jeffrey ‘Jeff’ Dane Jackson died unexpectedly on August 7, 2021 due to complications from Covid-19. Jeff was an amazing father, papaw, husband, brother, mentor, and friend to many. He adored his wife, Missy, his sons Jacob and Lance, and his two beautiful granddaughters Lily and Payton. His eyes would light up with tears of joy anytime he was around ‘his girls’.
Jeff was born to Jerry and Bonnie Jackson in Dallas, Texas on January 7, 1966. He grew up in the Garland area graduating from Lakeview Centennial High School in 1984. He learned the HVAC trade from his dad early on and made a life-long career out of it. He worked at Garland Heating & Air for several years and eventually took over Jackson Heating and Air Conditioning when his dad started E-Z Filter Base. When his dad fell ill with cancer many years ago, Jeff sold the family HVAC business and went to work at E-Z Filter Base to help his dad and step-mom Gail. He continued the family business until a few months ago, when he decided it was time to sell and move on to a new adventure.
Jeff married the love of his life, Melissa, on March 21, 1992. He was a wonderful father to his boys Jacob and Lance. It was important to him that they grew up to be respected, hard-working, and loving men. He coached their soccer and baseball teams when they were little and he was always in the stands cheering them on as they got older. We have many fond memories of traveling to baseball tournaments with Jacob and making so many friends over the years. Jeff was an avid hunter which is evident by all the trophies in his home. He went on some amazing hunts with his buddies all over the country and looked forward to his annual dove hunt every year in West Central Texas. While he loved all of his trophies and telling the stories behind them, he made sure to harvest the meat and gave it to friends, family, and local fire departments.
Jeff was an active member of SASS (Single Action Shooting Society), Patron member #92770, shooting alias ‘Colorado Jackson’. He was introduced to the sport several years ago and not only enjoyed the friendly competition but fell in love with the people. He traveled all over the country shooting, winning multiple awards and belt buckles. He was a SASS Regulator and Vice President of his local Texas Ten Horns home club in Leonard, Texas. He was a range officer (RO) instructor and had recently been named by the SASS advisory board as the Chief RO for the SW Region. Jeff was a great voice for the sport, encouraging young and old alike that wanted to learn more about it and helped grow his home club tremendously. He provided holsters, belts, and even guns to anyone that wanted to participate. Jeff was also a former VP of the Old Fort Parker Patriots and former TSRA/CAS Director.
When Jeff wasn’t shooting, he enjoyed donating his time and labor to working on the range in Leonard. He also spent a lot of time at the Red River Valley Cowpokes in Albany, OK. with George & Diane Toma. He loved them like family and enjoyed helping them out on their shooting range and attending their cowboy church. He absolutely loved Diane’s home cooking!
Jeff’s larger than life personality has left a lasting imprint on his family and friends that will never be forgotten. It’s difficult to comprehend the magnitude of this loss but we were blessed to have known such an incredible human being and cowboy extraordinaire. Loved ones who went before him include his parents Jerry and Bonnie Jackson, his stepmother Gail Jackson, his grandparents Dollie and Waymon Hill, and his father-in-law Don Wright. Loved ones who will miss him until they are reunited again include his wife, Melissa Jackson; son, Jacob Jackson and his wife Lauren; granddaughter, Payton Jackson; son, Lance Branch; granddaughter, Lillian ‘Lily’ Branch; his mother-in-law, Shirley Wright; father-in-law, Don Pittman; sister, Heather Huffman and her husband Steve; sister, Kim Skipper; many cousins, loved ones, and too many friends to mention.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Texas Ten Horns in Leonard, Texas or Red River Cowpokes in Albany, Oklahoma in memory of Jeff ‘Colorado’ Jackson. A memorial and Celebration of Life at 4pm was held on Friday, August 20, 2021 at Lone Star Cowboy Church in Nevada, TX. with George Toma and Jeff Parson officiating.
