Jay Stephen Jackson

1941 - 2023

Jay Stephen Jackson
December 24, 1941 - May 20, 2023
Olathe, Kansas - Jay Stephen "Steve" Jackson, a 45-year resident of Kansas City, died on May 20 in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. A devoted husband, father, brother, son, and friend, he touched many lives with his quick wit, feisty spirit and most of all, his generosity and love.
Steve was born in Columbus, Ohio, on Christmas Eve 1941 to Ann (Rodgers) and Jay Jackson. His family later moved to Manhasset, New York where he excelled academically and athletically. He particularly enjoyed competitive sailing on Long Island Sound with his friends. Steve was a talented musician and music lover He reveled in the early days of rock & roll, and one of his favorite memories was singing "In the Still of the Night" with classmates in the halls of his junior high school. He joyfully recreated this experience with his family on his last birthday.
He graduated from The Gunnery School in 1961. In addition to being a wrestler and football player, Steve excelled at writing. The poet Gwendolyn Brooks presented him with an award for one of his poems.
Growing up as the son of a television and radio announcer, Steve had the opportunity to meet inspiring and historic celebrities. Louis Armstrong gave him an impromptu lesson in shooting pool. On another occasion, Jackie Robinson spoke to Steve and his friends about the legendary player's journey to the major leagues.
Steve attended the University of Virginia in the early 1960s. Originally a pre-med student, he opted to pursue more creative endeavors, performing keyboards and vocals for the Aces Wild, a rock band. The band played fraternity parties and other gigs up and down the east coast.
After college Steve moved to Los Angeles, where he wrote and sold songs and worked as an attendant at a Standard Oil station in Hollywood.
After returning to the east coast in 1970, Steve launched his advertising career as a copywriter with N.W. Ayer. He worked for Ayer in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, creating many national campaigns and winning a Clio award.
In 1968 Steve married Rita Smith. Their son, Stephen Scott Jackson, was born in 1971. That marriage ended in divorce, and in 1977 Steve moved to Kansas City and began a 20-year career as a creative leader at Hallmark Cards. Summer and holiday visits with his son were highlights for Steve. They spent many hours at the pool and exploring Kansas City together, and their bond has grown throughout the years.
At Hallmark, Steve was a creative dynamo and a fierce advocate for the company's people and products. He was beloved as a manager and appreciated for his rebellious streak. He lived his mantra: When creativity stops being fun, it stops being creative.
Steve married his Hallmark sweetheart Molly Wigand in 1982. They had three sons, John, Joey and Danny, and the family enjoyed vacations to Florida, Santa Fe, Minneapolis, New England, California, Montana, Louisville and many Midwest locations. The family's home was the site of parties featuring Steve's great cooking, fun-loving antics, and infectious laugh. Because of his warm and welcoming nature, neighbor kids loved hanging out at the Jacksons'. He coached his sons in baseball and basketball. More significantly, he instilled in them his love of music
Family was everything to Steve, and his sons' devotion, integrity, creativity and loving natures are his legacy.
Steve was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his wife, his four sons Steven (and wife Amira), John (and partner Nicole), Joey (and wife Abi) and Danny (and wife Amanda); his sister, Sally Jackson; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews, in-laws and friends. He also leaves behind Elvis (Presley) and Buddy (Holly), the two senior rescue dogs who adored him.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to LL Dog Rescue of Kansas City or Fox 4 Love Fund for Children. A private memorial gathering is planned.