J T Jackson

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 am Saturday, August 16, at Hermosa Church of Christ for J T Jackson of Artesia, NM.

The family will receive friends at Hermosa Church of Christ from 3 to 6 pm on Friday.

JT Jackson , 92, of Artesia, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025 after a year of battling breathing problems. JT was born on August 25, 1932 near Coweta, Oklahoma to John Thomas Jackson and Opal Marie Sanders Jackson. The first 12 years of his life were spent in about 15 different states where his Dad was a Pipeliner. He never got a chance to finish a school year at the same school until he was in the 9th grade in Plains, TX. Because of this he had a very outgoing personality and never met a stranger. He graduated from high school in Plains, TX in 1950.

He married the Love of his Life, Annie Joy Fitzgerald on June 9, 1952 in Roswell NM and immediately got a chance to move to Thousand Oaks, California. There they both worked on the Alan Ladd Ranch caring for the horses and cattle and tending to ranch chores. Roy Rogers lived at the ranch next door so they got to experience lots of movie filming and movie stars of the time. He got his call for duty in 1953 and joined the Army. He served for two years and was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.

Moving to Artesia, NM in 1956 he became involved in the Oil Boom and learned the ways of the oil Patch. This led to his successful business of 35 years with Bearing Service and Supply along with his partners James Guy and Loy Fletcher. Their business later on became active in oil production in southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

Retirement brought on a whole new life for JT. He learned to golf with a great group of men who have become his best friends. In his years of golfing he had the opportunity to tour with Artesia Men's Senior Group, traveling various states golfing at a number of different golf courses. He was a member of the Southeast New Mexico Golf Association.

JT and Annie attended the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) for 30 years in Oklahoma and Las Vegas, Nevada collecting the annual NFR belt buckles and reuniting with friends from all over the country especially the Oedekoven family from Wyoming. He also enjoyed salmon fishing in Alaska and Canada with the Navajo Refining and Mack Chase groups. JT was an official Team Member of the Johnny Gray Racing Team, attending the National Hot Rod (NHRA) Drag Racing competitions nationwide. They both enjoyed hunting and fishing and RVing with the AJ Deans family. Many long weekends were spent in Alto attending the horse races at Ruidoso Downs with Skip Nix and friends.

JT was active with the Jaycees club in Artesia and served many years on the Board of Lake View Christian Home in Carlsbad. He and Annie were recognized by New Mexico Christian Childrens Home for their generosity and involvement with children in need. A very faithful member of Hermosa Church of Christ, he served on the Mission Committee for many years. He was baptized at the 13th and Hermosa Church of Christ in 1960.

Those blessed to cherish his memory are son, Ronnie Jackson, daughter, Janis Champion (husband, Richard), daughter Rhonda Rich, and daughter Camille Menefee ( husband, Milton). His grandchildren, JD and Amy Champion of Lubbock, TX, Ryder Champion of Roswell, Ladd and Ashley Jackson, Landon and Kecia Jackson, Jacy and Luke Daughenbaugh all of Lubbock, TX and Chanda and Taylor Huff of Godley, TX. Great grandchildren are Trott, Bleu and Hutch Jackson, Harleigh, Kambyl and Kessler Jackson and Truett and Beau Huff. Sister in law, Judy Fitzgerald.

Pallbearers are JD Champion, Ryder Champion, Ladd Jackson, Landon Jackson, Taylor Huff, Clint Pinson, Cooper Henderson and Tyler Deans.

Honorary Pallbearers are Vernon Asbill, Ken Clayton, Mike Prude, Skip Nix, Willie Pinson, Ronald Horner, Jim Moor, Curtis Tolle, Martin Green, Johnny Knorr, Mike Phipps, Robert Horner, Perry Conner, Dennis Garcia, Andy Brito, Jimmy Wadkins, Jessie Hilliard, and Scott Richardson.

A special word of thanks for those who cared for JT in his last days to Luz, Estella and Norma. They made him feel so special.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Mexico Christian Childrens Home, 1356 NM Hwy 236, Portales, NM 88130