Pastor Lauren Ray Jackson

Pastor Lauren Ray Jackson, passed away peacefully at his home in New Lenox, at the age of 93, on Monday, May 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Ray was born in Stillwater, OK, on August 22, 1931, the son of the late James and Premelia (nee Langwell) Jackson.

Ray served a total of six years in the military with the Missouri National Guard and the United States Air Force. He had a degree from Central Technical Institute, with a "First Class Radio Telephone Operator License", which allowed him to work on any high-powered transmitter in the US. Ray was the owner of "Jackson's Television Repair Shop" in Kansas City, Kansas. He also worked at KEDD TV station in Wichita, Kansas, as a broadcast engineer and then at Notre Dame University for 22 years at WNDU-TV, South Bend, Indiana, and for the last 15 years, he has served as chief engineer.

At the age of 40, Ray surrendered his life to the Lord and at age 45 left broadcasting to attend Maranatha Baptist College and go into the ministry. He was the Pastor at Community Baptist Church in Poynette, WI, and he served at Maranatha Baptist Church in Joliet, IL, in "Family Ministries". He then became the Pastor at Crossroads Baptist in Gilman, IL, which then joined with First Baptist, in Watseka, IL. He preached and served the Lord for over 40 years.

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Virginia (nee Wyatt) Jackson; his children, Linda Mae (Geary) Weaver, Diana Marie (Dan) Holik, Kenneth Ray (Debby) Jackson, Rebecca Ann (David) Humbert, and Peggy Sue (Manuel) Canales; 16 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James Riley and Premelia (nee Languell) Jackson; brothers, John Riley and Thomas Lowell Jackson; sister, Nina Elizabeth Fegley; his first wife, Doris Mae Jackson; and his grandson, Stuart Douglas Canales.

Visitation for Pastor Lauren Ray Jackson will be held at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, IL, on Friday, May 23, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the First Baptist Church, 100 Clarence Ave., Watseka, IL, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Prairie Dell Cemetery in Watseka, with full military honors held under the auspices of the United States Air Force and the Watseka American Legion Post 25.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to Shorewood Baptist Church, 113 Republic Ave., Joliet, IL would be appreciated.

For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.