Raymond C. Jackson

Raymond C. Jackson, 90, died at his home Monday evening, May 23, 2011, not unexpectedly, of an illness which he had been fighting for some years. He fought strongly with the assistance and love of his whole family. He was a loving, caring man of God who was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We were all with him when he had to finally release his hold on life. Raymond was a native of Albuquerque, born here on July 15, 1920. He attended Albuquerque High School and the University of New Mexico. He was an avid Lobo fan for many years especially basketball and football. He was the oldest son of SY & Jane Jackson, always beloved but now deceased. We have lost all three of Raymond’s sisters, Maebelle Myers, Catherine Furman-Jele, Jackie Louise Willey; a special nephew Sherwood Jackson; a special niece Charis Furman-MeKelvy; as well as our beloved grandchild Helen Aubrey Miller. Raymond is survived by his wife of 67 years, Helen Graves Jackson. Their anniversary was celebrated May 21, 2011 just before he died on the 23rd. (Incidentally he sent her yellow roses.) Helen & Raymond were married here in Albuquerque in 1944. Raymond had joined the US Army Air Corps and was stationed in Albuquerque and Fort Sumner, NM, bringing in the gliders and trying to keep the cadets from getting lost. He was working for TWA and attending the University of New Mexico when he volunteered for WWII and the Army was trying to keep him in place. However the war soon sent him to OCS in New Orleans, in 1944. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and placed in the Transportation Corp. He spent the rest of the war in Houston directing and shipping out heavy ammunitions and armaments from the San Jacinto Ordinance Depot. When Japan surrendered Raymond came home and went back to TWA. By that time he had a wife, Helen and a baby on the way. He was a successful businessman until he was called up again to the Korean “situation� in 1950. This time he was sent to Washington DC in the Transportation Corp as a Captain. He directed and approved the US Government’s purchase of some of the largest planes still in use today for the Army Air Transportation Corp. He stayed in the Army Air Reserves for his full twenty, retired as Major Jackson and was discharged on July 15, 1980. Raymond loved Rotary and served as President for the Rotary Club of Albuquerque in 1976-1977, was a Paul Harris Fellow in 1982 and was still a member when he died. He was elected President of the Board of Directors from 1967 to 1970 for Goodwill Industries. He was a 32nd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite and a designated Son of the American Revolution. He was always active in his church, Central Avenue Methodist and then Central United Methodist when they moved from Central and Broadway to University. He served in every official capacity open to layman and was strong in his Faith until his death. Raymond and Helen have three daughters, Patricia Spencer of Santa Fe, Maryle Barber of Albuquerque and Helen Miller with her husband of 32 years Rodney Miller of Roswell. They have six grand children – John Hunter, Truman Spencer, Elizabeth Barber, Amanda Spencer Kirkbride, Jay and Chance Miller. We are blessed with a granddaughter -in-law Alena Spencer and two charming great grand children Justice and Charlese; a nice grandson-in-law Justin Kirkbride and two loving great grand children Madison and Jackson Kirkbride as well as John’s son Sean Neuman. Raymond’s brother SY (Tony) and his wife Alice Jackson are the last survivors of his family except for many nephews and nieces, all close friends of Raymond’s. Helen’s sister, Beth Graves Morgan and her daughter, Susan Morgan, are survivors and continue to be a big part of the close family circle. Raymond retired from Albuquerque Public Schools as the Purchasing Director, where he was in charge of all purchasing except for construction and for books. He had many friends when he retired in 1985. Retirement brought a chance to finally get all that fishing done so Raymond bought a Colorado second home and loved every minute of it. We have had a loving family to care of us as we aged and some special friends – Mark Young and Jean Horseherder of Presbyterian Health Care and home aides Martha Gonzales and Paula Holguin who smoothed our way and sang to us on our journey. Raymond believed one should never say “good bye� only “see you later�. Cremation has already taken place. Services will take place on May 31 at 11am at Central United Methodist Church, 109 University NE conducted by Rev. Jim Hawk. Internment at Sunset Centennial Urn Garden will occur at a later date. Please direct any gift and remembrances to Albuquerque Rotary Charitable Foundation, PO Box 3807, Albuquerque, NM 87190.