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James Jackson Obituary
Milwaukee - Passed away peacefully on February 11, 2021, at the age of 66. Jimmy is survived by his wife of 24 years, Heidi Schmidt. Beloved "Papi" of Angela Joy. Proud and loving grandpa "Papa" of Virginia "Gigi", and Jackson James Jablonic. Beloved brother of Karen (Bill) Shively and Jennifer (Gil) Kelnhofer. Preceded in death by his parents Ray and LaVerne Jackson. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
Jimmy was owner/operator of Jackson Grill. His personality was larger than life. Anybody that knew him knew he was a very selfless and generous gentleman. He will be sadly missed.
A Celebration of Jimmy's Life will be held at a later date.
Memorials to The American Diabetes Association or The American Heart Association, In Jimmy's name, deeply appreciated.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Jackson
Sponsored by Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral and Cremation Services.
mary shively stack and mark and kimberlee and alyson stack
February 9, 2025
hello l and love. the Shively's were all the best at sharing fun and happiness
Michele perlongo
February 9, 2025
Another year passed and I can't bring Ng myself to go to Jackson grille. What Jimmy and his dad ray started decades ago is still the best ever. Had magic with the grills. R.i.p.
James Jilbert
February 7, 2025
As I grow older I think back on fun experiences and Jimmy always shows up. Great guy.
Jim Jilbert
March 30, 2022
Jimmy was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He always treated you like you were the most important person. He will be missed by all that ever met him.
Michele Perlongo
March 29, 2022
Thought I posted last year. Known Jimmy since Ray Jackson's. My uncle Phil frequented there. Last May we went to Jackson Grille when I learned he passed. The last previous time was the Friday before covid. Hands down, still THE best steaks anywhere. His kindness will always shine on. Just announced today the restaurant is permanently closed . Heidi, I wish you and yours the best.
Sandy Sell
March 7, 2022
Our deepest sympathy to Jimmy´s wife and to all of his family.
I was shocked to learn of his untimely passing, just today, 3/7/22.
It was always our pleasure to dine at Jackson Grill and always be visited by Jimmy at our table. We had great affection for him. He will be greatly missed. Healing prayers to his family who I´m sure are still navigating their grief.
A single memorial tree
Steve Nemitz
February 10, 2022
May this tree of life represent the strong shadow of the man Jimmy was. He is missed dearly by so many.
mary and mark
February 7, 2022
jimmy, your family misses you so much. you have left a lot of smiles and ordimous for them to share.
Brandon Adamson
December 25, 2021
I remember living with Jim and his daughter Angela in the early 1980's when Jim was dating my mother, Pamela. We lived in the green apartments across from County Stadium. Even though I was only 4 or 5 years old, I have never forgotten Jim and still think of those times often. Very sorry to hear of his passing.
Guy and Debbie Hocking
April 11, 2021
Rip Jimmy, we used to go with you to Brewers baseball games, you even got us tickets to the 1982 World Series. Heaven now has a hell of a good chef!
Denise Tracy
February 25, 2021
Jimmy Jackson was my locker mate at Juneau. What a character and all the girls loved Jimmy in his football or wrestling uniform and his letter man sweater. He was a cutie for sure.
Ray Jackson's and Jackson Grille two of the finest restaurants in Milwaukee. Some of my best dinners with family and friends were at these two establishments.
My deepest sympathy to the family.
You will be missed for that smile and generosity Falcon. Rest in peace my friend.
The Feiersteins - Carl, Betty, Paul, Judy
February 22, 2021
Oh, will we miss his warm smile. Our deepest condolences to family and friends. Wishing everyone peace and comfort.
Shauna, Jim, Sam and Jake Bayer
February 22, 2021
Angela, we are so sorry, please know that you, Jackson and Gigi are in our prayers and in our hearts forever.
Jeri and Jim Albrecht
February 22, 2021
Heidi and family: so sorry to hear of your loss. We will always have fond memories of Jimmy. He was such a vivacious figure at the restaurant and a true gentleman. Our condolences.
Karen Shively
February 20, 2021
Karen Shively
February 20, 2021
Karen Shively
February 20, 2021
Jimmy loved spending time with his grandkids Gigi and Jackson. They loved playing Uno with grandpa and waving to him in the stands at their hockey games. Grandpa Jimmy was so much fun to be with and will be truly missed.
Mary Turck
February 19, 2021
Always with a smile, always a gentleman, always welcoming, and what a great chef! Now at peace and on a new journey.
Steven N e m i t z
February 19, 2021
My deepest sympathies to family and friends of Jimmy
Kim Surma
February 18, 2021
Scooter on my friend! Your Goddess loves you and misses your smile, hug and pure love. Godspeed my friend.
mary shively, stack, mark
February 18, 2021
Karen, you have been my best friend since high school days.
Jimmy was such a powerful presence on you and Bill and you had an incredible bond together. i loved the family barbeques. go chef Jimmy. and my niece, Angela has been Jimmy's caretaker for many years.and she loved massaging his legs and feet. and his best smiles were for Gigi and Jackson. it was such an honor and love to Jimmy for Angela's naming her son after her dad. Mark and I love all of you.
Sharyn Monday
February 18, 2021
Karen I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. Hope he went peacefully. This sure has been a crazy year to many gone to soon. You have lots of good memories. It was fun going to his restaurant. Good food. Take care and remember all the good times. I´ll pray for you and his family. Gods Blessings.
Sandi Wiegand
February 17, 2021
Angie and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Jimmy was a very good neighbor to my Dad, Hubert. He was always bringing over food he prepared, smile and a laugh. Good man.
Sharon and Dan Rosin
February 16, 2021
Karen It was wonderful that your brother and you had such a warm caring friendship Remember all of the good times
Roy BUDDHA Tonkovitz
February 16, 2021
My Friend,MyBoss & Always my Buddy. Weather we shared a Joke,a Drink or Just a GOOD time.Rest in Peace my friend until we meet again.
Jeanne Arezina
February 16, 2021
My deepest sympathies for your loss Heidi and for all of your extended Jackson grill family.
Kimberly Stevenson
February 16, 2021
Sending love, light, and healing energy to and for the Jackson family...always so gracious and accommodating ...much love from me, the brothers and aunties too! We will miss Jimmy a kind soul ...
David Kotke
February 16, 2021
Heidi, my deepest sympathies go out to you and Jimmy´s family and friends. What a generous and kind man. Sending love, hugs and strength during this sad time.
Jacqulynn Conrad-Cotter
February 16, 2021
Dear Heidi was so very sorry to hear of Jimmy's passing. He will truly be missed by his Juneau family, his restaurant family and customers. He was suck a great chief. He came up with exciting dishes. And always with a smile. It was a joy to know Jimmy. I think you got a good one! Bless you and yours.
Jacqulynn
The late Great Gloria D'Amico
February 15, 2021
See you for cocktails tonight Jimmy!
Ron Faiola
February 15, 2021
Jimmy, thanks for all the great steaks and good times. You will be missed my friend.
Linda Tousignant
February 15, 2021
You will always be in my Heart. RIP my friend and Thank you for all you did for Jose and I
Rick and Kathy Shady
February 15, 2021
Always enjoyed talking with Jimmy when he would make his rounds from table to table each time we had dinner there. Sad, he will be extremely missed.
Lois Wagner; mother of Elizabeth Wagner
February 15, 2021
He loved his restaurant and his restaurant family and would call me mom whenever I came in to their wonderful restaurant. I was always treated like royalty and he was so kind, funny and started my three grandsons on the road to delicious culinary experiences. He will be sorely missed
Jimmy Jackson at <br /> Jackson Grill
Karen Shively
February 15, 2021
My sweet brother you will live on in my heart forever. We laughed, we cried, we reminised our family memories. You were uncle & godfather to my 3 children Stephane, Steve, Sara who loved you dearly. You were the best dad to Angela and fun grandpa to her twins Gigi & Jackson James named after you. Grandpa Jimmy would love playing Uno with the grandkids and enjoyed watching them play hockey with their daddy Dan. Truly a family man overflowing with love. We are sad that he is gone, but know that he is without of pain in God's hands. Love you brother.
Seve Spann & Marie D'Amico
February 15, 2021
Hi Heidi,
Marie and I are shocked and saddened over Jimmy's passing. A great loss Indeed.
Loved his gentleness, his huge smile and of course, the restaurant. Also loved our spirited backgammon games way back when people used to play. Hope you and the crew can carry on the restaurant in his name. Alas, this and Covid may signal the end. If so, the wonderful times will always live on in our hearts.
You did good J.J. And you were the only place in town without a television. Your happy customers kept the place humming with joy. Thank you!
Peace,
Steve & Marie
Chad & Tammy Kuchinski
February 15, 2021
Our deepest sympathies to Jimmy´s family he sure was a darn good cook
Tom & Lisa Livesey
February 15, 2021
Heidi and to all of Jimmy´s family, please accept our deepest sympathies for the loss of Jimmy. We have nothing but fond memories of him. We´re so very sorry.
MICHAEL R FROH
February 15, 2021
Angela, so sorry for your loss. I met Jimmy back in the 80's and every time I would run into him his famous "put it in the vice" rang out as he extended his hand for a shake. Jackson Grill is the best Supper Club in Milwaukee. May God Bless you and the family during this most difficult time.
Dwight Kuchinski
February 15, 2021
Please accept my deepest condolences.
Jane and Ron Lundy
February 14, 2021
What a great generous man.... so very sad.
Scott Powers
February 14, 2021
Deepest condolences, love to family and loved ones!!!
Benny Radoszewski
February 14, 2021
Heidi please accept my condolences..I really liked Jimmy and The Jackson Grill.
Mike Loew and Beth Schultz
February 14, 2021
I loved Jimmy's cooking, who wouldn't, it was the best but chewing the fat about food, restaurants, health woes and life always was the ain reason to visit Jimmy. Heidi, Iban,
Alina, Kevin, et all, I'm so sorry for your loss and our loss. There will never be another.
Janis Solberg
February 14, 2021
Heidi, our hearts are breaking for you and your family. Although we didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Jimmy, Gary always had such great things to say about him and your incredible restaurant. Heidi, you are in our prayers during these difficult times. Sending our love.
Bob & Janis Solberg (Kuhn)
Tom and Mary Nemmetz
February 14, 2021
Our sympathies to Heidi and the Jackson family. Jimmy was a great guy.
Mario Massa
February 14, 2021
Condolences to Heidi, Angela and the rest of Jimmy´s family and friends. I worked in the kitchen at Balistreri´s Bluemound Inn with Jimmy and remember him regularly pitching a $20 at me to get everybody in the kitchen sodas and iced teas and he would always make sure everybody in the kitchen was fed before the Saturday rush. Many other lifetime memories and a few lifetime friendships were made in that kitchen. Of course then I thought of cooking as a job and didn´t care that much about food outside of work. Now, although we don´t cook professionally, cooking is a big part of our lifestyle and there are skills, concepts and recipes I learned in Jimmy´s kitchen that we still use to this day in my home kitchen. My parents still recall him dropping by their home for tomato seedlings in the spring and bottles of my dad´s failed homemade wine that became excellent vinegar. He will always be fondly remembered by our family.
Ace Vollmer
February 14, 2021
My heartfelt condolences to Heidi and the whole Family. What a great Guy and fantastic chef! A whole lot of great times and memories. Ace
Richard and Pam Raskin
February 14, 2021
Richard and I are so sad to hear this news. Richard was Jimmy's barber for 40 yrs. We enjoyed him so much. He loved his family, always shared pictures of the Grandkids. He was a wonderful man, so happy and easy going. We will miss him, love you Jimmy. Condolences to his loving family.
Slim and Jane
February 14, 2021
Our sympathies to you Heidi. Countless memories of great times with Babydoll Jimmy. On a professional note, the summer of 1983 that Slim worked for Jimmy was where Slim really learned to cook and started his career. Much gratitude for his mentorship and friendship.
Gary Porath
February 14, 2021
To Heidi and Jimmy´s family we send our prayers. He was a great friend and the number one Chef in my book. I told him many times to write a book about his childhood and his experiences in the restaurant business. I will miss him dearly. RIP Jimmy
Rocky Holmgren
February 14, 2021
Long time friend starting with our parents friendships. A true talent and personality. We will all miss him dearly
Frank Vitucci, Jr
February 13, 2021
Jimmy made Jackson Grill the best restaurant in southeastern Wisconsin. What a hard worker he was. He was witty, friendly and very personable. He took so much pride in making sure everyone was satisfied after their meal. He was always nice enough to not only say hello to my friends and I when we ate there but also share a quick story or joke. I´ll miss him coming out of the kitchen and making his rounds asking the familiar question, "how was it folks?" A true Milwaukee legend, just like his Dad.
Gary A Rohrbach
February 13, 2021
My condolences to Heidi and the Jackson family. I always enjoyed his humor back in our school days. Jimmy will sadly be missed.
Gregg H Fitzpatrick
February 13, 2021
Jimmy, so many wonderful memories of us working at your Dad's restaurant so many years ago. And you on wrestling team in high school. We both learned so much from Master Chef Jahn Kramph. The memories are endless. My sincerest condolences to your loved ones. God Bless You Always.
Barry Stapleton
February 13, 2021
My sympathies to Jimmy´s family. He was a nice genuine man. RIP Jimmy...
Bill and Susan Christianson
February 13, 2021
Our deepest sympathy to Heidi and the Jackson family. Also to the "family" at Jackson Grill. Jimmy will be so missed.
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Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral and Cremation Services10121 West North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53226
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