Albert D. Jackson, Jr.

Albert D. Jackson Jr. was born in Twentynine Palms, California, on June 27, 1958, to the late Albert Sr. and Frances (Kanak) Jackson. Al spent his entire life in Dayton, OH, including graduating from Northridge High School in 1976. He was happiest spending time with his children, grandchildren, and all the people he loved. He had a passion for the Minnesota Vikings, The Ohio State Buckeyes, and NASCAR. He traveled with both of his children to many Vikings games and instilled in them a love for the Purple People Eaters.

He threw a mean horseshoe, cornhole bag, and washer. He loved camping and boating on the Ohio River, teaching anyone who joined him how to fish, shoot, water ski, tube, and make the perfect campfire pie. He loved nothing more than grabbing a sleeping bag and folding chair and sleeping outdoors under the stars. He loved to cook, especially breakfast, and he made a delicious cheesy egg that has been the talk of the OU dads’ group chat for years.

He was an avid music fan, with some of his favorites being Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, and anything blues-related, especially live music. He attended all of his son’s college football games and was an athlete himself excelling in wrestling, where he went to the state tournament, and in track, where he held the pole-vaulting record at Northridge High School for many years. He was humble and rarely mentioned his own accomplishments.

Anyone who knew him knew he was a man of few words and didn’t love out loud, but he loved his family and friends in the best ways he knew how: coaching his children’s sports teams, spending Saturday mornings at the bowling alley when they were young, driving to Indiana to watch Matt play football, or to North Carolina and then Virginia to help Holly move. In excited moments, he cheered from the sidelines. On stage, he did backflips during Miss Gail’s dance recitals. He smiled with pride watching his son get married and when he met his grandchildren. He held back tears walking his daughter down the aisle and during his reception speech. He grieved quietly when he had to bury his firstborn son, his brothers, his mother, and then his father. He spent time with his Aunt Norma, running errands and catching up on all the lives he didn’t follow online. He would have given his children the entire world if he could have. The stories shared since his passing have brought both tears of joy and sorrow.

He was a regular at the American Legion and the VFW, playing euchre, cornhole, or simply sharing a beer or shot with whoever was nearby. More recently, he enjoyed staying home and reading, but he was making plans to visit his children and grandchildren in Colorado. He hoped to check another NFL stadium off his list with his daughter and to spend more time with his nephews and their families. He encouraged his children to live life and explore the world. He was ready to keep living his life, but time ran out. So many plans, so many memories still to be made, but no more time for the follow-through. There are no regrets, only a deep wish for more time.

Albert is survived by his son, Matt (Mandy) Jackson; his daughter, Holly Jo Jackson; grandchildren Kaden, Kalissa, Karter, and Kynley; his aunt, Norma Howell; nephews, Brad and Nate (Bre) Jackson; sister-in-law, Kae Jackson; and countless other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Charlie Jackson; his brothers, Chuck and Steve (Sandy).

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 14th, at the VFW Post 6560, 5483 Wadsworth Rd., Dayton, OH 45414, beginning at 4PM for all family and friends to show their respects. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Greater Dayton in his honor.