Donald George Jackson

The family of Donald George Jackson is very sad to announce that Don left this Earth to be with God on May 26th, 2023, after a sudden health decline at the age of 91. His last moments were spent with family and friends who loved him in his native home of Black Mountain.
Don was born on August 26th, 1931, to Edward and Eos Jackson, in Wiggle Creek, Nebraska with an older brother, John. The Jackson family moved to Black Mountain in 1938, where Don attended Black Mountain High School, played football, and graduated in 1949.
Don joined the Marines in 1951 and fought in Korea, returning home as a decorated combat veteran and receiving the Purple Heart. Don then met his future loving wife, Ruth Wooten Jackson from Harmony, NC, who was attending Montreat College at the time. Don and Ruth were married at Gaither Chapel in Montreat on June 16th, 1956. Don attended Western Carolina University, and he and Ruth next moved to Cary, NC where he continued his education at North Carolina State University, graduating with a Bachelor's of Wood Technology in 1958.
Don and Ruth's son Richard (Rick) was born in Cary in 1957, and Belinda (Bea) was born in Lenoir, NC in 1959. The young Jackson family moved to Newport, Rhode Island for Naval War College, then to Charleston, SC where he was stationed as a newly commissioned officer, and then on to Summerville, SC as a Broyhill Furniture plant manager. Don ultimately achieved the rank of Commander and was the Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Center in Asheville.
The Jackson family moved to Lenoir, NC in 1966, then Don and Ruth moved back to Black Mountain in 1981 to build a home on the family farm. By this time Don was working with the State of North Carolina as an OSHA safety inspector where he went on to retire in 1995.
Don's hobbies included restoring vintage vehicles, including a 1949 Ford tractor, 1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, and his father's 1959 Chevrolet Apache pickup truck. He also spent many happy hours tinkering in his garage workshop on various projects, such as converting antique brass and copper fire-extinguishers into lamps and making outhouse lanterns. One of Don's greatest joys was sharing his handcrafted creations with family and friends. He also loved helping people, generously sharing his time, vast experience, and skills to anyone in need.
Don stayed active by riding his mountain bike and earned the nickname Hill Animal for his incredible endurance and technical skill. Don and his brother-in-law Sam Wooten remarkably biked the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive, 585 miles when he was 66!
Don's whole life centered around his beloved wife, family, and friends. He was a devoted husband, dedicated father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great grandfather. Don was a loyal friend, brother, and brother-in-law, a true patriot, and a positive force of love and support to everyone in his life. He was a man of unwavering faith and integrity, very active in charitable service, and deeply devoted to his church, the First Baptist Church of Black Mountain.
In short, Don Jackson was a selfless human being and a fine Christian man, much beloved by all who knew him.
Don is survived by his wife Ruth, children Rick and Bea, brother John, grandchildren Marisa, Bridget, Isaac, Jake, and Olivia, and great granddaughter Kayla.
A celebration of his life is planned to be held at First Baptist Church of Black Mountain
on June 9th at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Black Mountain Home for Children at blackmountainhome.org and select DONATE or First Baptist Church of Black Mountain Ministries, PO Box 656, Black Mountain, NC 28711.