Allen Jackson Jr.

Allen Jackson, Jr. 1950 - 2018

For nearly 68 years, Allen Jackson, Jr., was a devoted husband, doting father, and faithful friend. For all of those years, he was a special member of a large and loving family - first as the youngest son and later as the patriarch. He was also an entrepreneur, a mentor, a preacher, a coach and confidante to many.

Allen Jackson, Jr., was born on December 19, 1950, to Allen Jackson, Sr., and Jenever Jackson in Franklin Parish, Louisiana. He was the fifth of six children. Allen was known as "Jackie" from a very young age, a nod to the baseball legend Jackie Robinson whom his father and many uncles enjoyed following on radio.

His nicknames were many and determined by the relationship. His nephew Dan Burrell, two weeks older, called him Brother or Pack. His daughters called him Dad but his sons, their friends, and kids in the community all called him Pops. Fellow business folks called him Al, his grandchildren knew him as Papa, and extended family called him Uncle Jack. There are many more.

Allen spent his formative years in Monroe, Louisiana. He graduated from Richwood High School in 1968 and enrolled at Grambling University where he studied before joining the United States Army and going on to serve in Vietnam. At the end of his overseas service, he returned home and in 1972 married Elouise (Smith) Jackson, his mate on life's journey. His military service would take the family to Ft. Benning, Georgia, and several other cities. At the end of his service, he and the family moved first to Las Vegas, Nevada, for five years, then to the San Francisco Bay Area before settling on the California Central Coast for 42 years, most recently in San Miguel where he and Elouise hosted many family gatherings throughout the years.

He was a man who wasn't afraid of a challenge. Allen loved opening and operating new ventures, all of which kept him outdoors in his community. After retiring from work at the Paso Robles Boys School, he co-founded a boxing gym where he trained and mentored many young men. You'd never find him behind a desk all day as he preferred to work with his hands, spending much of his time talking with his clients and workers. What would be a 20-minute trip to the store for most would easily take him two hours by the time he stopped and chatted with people along the way. He loved people and they loved him.

His passions - boxing, fishing, old trucks, reading biographies, good music and corny jokes - endeared him to people from all walks of life. He had a natural ability to pick up languages. Even as cancer took its toll on his physical body, he would find common bonds with the medical professionals who treated him. From his birth to death, his care and concern for others made each person feel special.

Allen's Christian faith was extremely important in his life. He accepted Christ at an early age at Pleasant Green Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana. He later recommitted his life and was baptized at Second Baptist Church in Paso Robles, California, where he was an active member until his death.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Elouise (Smith) Jackson, and five (5) children: Mia Michele Jackson, Sonja Evette Jackson, Allen Jackson, III (Charity), Patrick Smith (Rebecca), Walter Jamaal Jackson (Michelle). Allen also leaves to mourn ten (10) grandchildren: Taylor Alexandria Jackson, Caleb Christopher Jackson, Nia Sinclair Smith, Dailin Patrick Smith, Avery Sarah Smith, Kai Christian Davis, Jaden Adair Jackson, Sean Patrick Smith, Olivia Elouise Jackson, and Macee-Faith Smith.

His eldest sister Rosie Lee Jackson lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and deeply mourns his death. A host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends are also mourning his passing.

Preceding Allen in death were his parents Allen Jackson, Sr., and Jenever Jackson; his daughter Alicia Jeanell Jackson; his siblings Gene L. Jackson, Alice Mae Jackson, Courage Alexander Jackson, and Amanda Joyce Jackson.