Charles Kenneth Jackson

1923 - 2010

Charles Kenneth Jackson ("Jack") Resident of Kensington Our dear father "Jack" died in Richmond, July 29, 2010, from Parkinson's. A lifelong advocate for justice, tolerance, and cooperation, Jack was the "strong, silent type," a quiet observer with a dry wit and strong convictions, who generously supported many causes, believed in doing one's civic duty, and worked for a better world. He was a voracious reader, chess player, puzzle-solver, self-taught musician, and birder. A 50-year resident of Kensington, he was active in the Blakemont Property Owners Association and was a "den mother" for Troop 100. A passionate defender of human and civil rights, he was a strong supporter of PFLAG. His commitment to conservation, ecology, and preservation meant re-using and recycling everything, and led to an "anti-fossil fuel" campaign and owning a biodiesel-run car. Jack grew up in Oakland and Turlock, worked in the Richmond Shipyards, and joined the Merchant Marines in 1943. He was Chief Radio Officer on board several ships from 1944-1946, and from 1949-1951, serving his country in WW II and Korea. He was a Ham Radio Operator, call sign W6KNO, and active in many local radio groups. He founded the Red Oak Victory Amateur Radio Club. He attended UC Berkeley from 1946-1949, was a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, the Professional Foreign Service Fraternity (Epsilon Chapter, 1947), and married his Spanish teacher, Margaret Claar ("Peggy") to whom he was happily married for 51 years until her death in 2002. He was an early volunteer at KPFA radio, and a board member of the Berkeley Co-op. He worked for Stauffer Chemical Company in the 1950's, and then became a Real Property appraiser with the Assessor's Office for the County of Sonoma where he worked for 20 years. He is mourned by his family: daughter, Martha, of Richmond; son, David, his wife Becky, of Santa Rosa, and their sons, Daniel and Brian; son, Peter, and his partner Eric Raptosh, of Venice; son, Michael, and his wife Monique Lanoix, of Montreal; and many cousins, friends, and shipmates. Most of the last decade was devoted to the restoration project of the SS Red Oak Victory in Richmond. A celebration of his life will be held on board the ship on Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 4pm. Donations to any causes he believed in are welcome. SS Red Oak Victory P.O.Box1267 Richmond, CA 94802 PFLAG 1828 L Street, NW, Suite 660 Washington, D.C. 20036