George J. Jackson

George J. Jackson Sr., a lifelong and very well-known resident of Grand Bay, began his new journey to his eternal home on December 16, 2024. He lived a very full life that started as a Grand Bay Cowboy, well before being a cowboy was cool, running cows along the coast line from Grand Bay to Louisiana and even as far as Texas. Later, he enjoyed being associated with racing at the Irvington Racetrack and while he did not actually race the cars, he did enjoy taking them around the track. As an adult, he had a very successful career that led to retirement from International Paper Company. However, his work life never stopped with shift work at IP, he always had a side effort that included, George’s Auto Sales, a Construction company doing renovations around Grand Bay, harvesting pecans, raising cows, hauling hay and all the things that come with starting a life in a farming community. Additionally, he was known around town as “Mr. Fix-It.” Folks would bring a piece of equipment or other problems they could not figure out and, in most instances, he could fix it on the fly. However, in some cases with more complicated problems, he would have to “sleep on the it.” The next day, the solution would be very clear at the awe of everyone else involved. Being a son or son-in-law to George Jackson could be a humiliating experience because you could put your best effort into something only for it to fail and your child tell you that you should have taken it to Papa’s because he can fix anything. During the time frame of raising a family, he was truly the best Dad and Grandfather any child could hope for. He was a football coach back when success was defined by how fun the game was to the kids that played versus how many games were won. He also taught the kids the importance of hard work, accepting responsibility and how important it was to treat others with kindness. He gave each of them the tools needed to be successful as they grew into adulthood. His greatest characteristic trait was his compassion for others and a true willingness to put good wishes into action. During his lifetime, he was a Major in the Grand Bay Police Auxiliary, opened his home to dozens of foster kids through the Mobile County Baptist Children’s Home, involved with the Grand Bay Volunteer Fire Department including the transition from a volunteer organization to a fully funded part of the county, was very involved with the PTO at Castlen and played a very involved role in multiple churches including being a Deacon, leading major building projects (Friendship Gym / Classrooms, Faith Fellowship Hall / Classrooms), Board of Trustees, Charter Member (Faith) and involved with Youth programs for decades. This list includes groups and organizations, but his most significant impact was reaching out a helping hand to multitudes of people that needed different kinds of care – whether it was a financial need, needing a job, needing a place to stay for a little while, spiritual needs, needing a father figure as they grow up or just a friend to listen. It was these things that were done quietly, privately, and sincerely. These people, in many cases, had no other place to turn and are living lives today that are significantly better because of knowing George Jackson. Those who knew him and loved him, will miss him every day but as he quoted regularly “I’ll meet you on the backside of the moon” He is preceded in death by his parents James Henry and Virginia Hudson Jackson, infant sister Daisy Lee Jackson, and sister Lola Jackson Reed Langford. George is survived by his wife Jeanette Jackson; children Jesse Stallone (Donna), Danielle Jackson Holland (Aaron), Dana Jackson Stephens (Greg), Wayne Benbow, and Darrell Jackson (Brandi); Grandchildren Jamison Holland (Hannah), Daniel Holland (Ashley), Kirsten Holland, Emily Stephens, Logan Stallone, David Benbow, Kealy Jackson, Dillon Jackson; Great Grandchildren Hallie Holland, Brody Holland, and Evelyn Holland; Sisters Hilda Jackson O’Mary Hickman, Gloria Jackson Cosentino Steelman and loved by many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his extended family Tim Burchette, Alan Young (Julie), Melissa Johnson (James), Wesley Young; Grandchildren Austin Burchette, Kaitlyn and Kathryn Young, Samantha Adams (Chance), Colton King (Michaela), Travis, Lilith Young, and Jackie Johnson; Great Grandchildren Layken and Lane Adams, Kylie and Jayden Johnson, Justin and Troy Smith, and Lilly Edwards. Funeral services for Mr. Jackson will be held Thursday, December 19, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Grand Bay at 2:00 PM. The family will be accepting friends and visitors one hour prior to service time. Interment will be a private family event held immediately after funeral services. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Alabama Baptist Children Homes and Family Ministries, www.alabamachild.org or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

Tributes

George J. Jackson

February 3, 1938 - December 16, 2024