Dixie High School

Gary Jackson Jr - 8/10/2010

Class of 1964

Music, scouting, sports, and nature typified the life of Mack Gerald Jackson Jr. who died August 10, 2010 amongst the glowing sunset of the red rocks of his beloved St. George, where he was also born on December 17, 1945.

Gary attended primary schools in St. George and after graduating from Dixie High School went to Fort Ord for National Guard training. He served an LDS mission to London, England. He graduated from Dixie College and then later from BYU in 1970. It was there that he met his eternal companion, Nancy Wicker, and they were married on March 31, 1970 in the St.George Temple. This brought about his greatest calling of being a father and grandfather. He enjoyed playing grandpa and eating toes and blowing kisses with his grandchildren.

Playing, coaching, and talking sports were great passions of Gary. He excelled in three sports (track, basketball, and football) while in school. Later, he took that expertise into mentoring many youth, including his own children, as he coached little league, city league, and church teams. Without question he exhibited a zest for sports and its lessons and wanted to portray that to the soccer, baseball, football, and basketball players he gave countless hours to.

The outdoors and scouting personified Gary. He earned an eagle scout and later became a devoted scout master. It is here that frequently he was able to enjoy and illustrate to those he was with the majesties of God’s creations from sunsets to wild flowers from the deserts of the Arizona Strip to the cool fishing in the mountains. Coyote calling with friends, hunting, and working on projects to improve wildlife habitat were some of his worthy causes.

A lifelong musician, Gary started his formal training under the direction of Stan Schmutz in junior high. While in high school he learned to play the guitar and started a band with his friends which they continued throughout their lives. He also played in the Dixie College Dance Band. He was at the grassroots in leadership with the Heritage Choir. In this capacity he loved the opportunity to sing around the world and at home to fulfill the choirs mission statement “to bring people closer to the Savior through music”. Past and present choir members are invited to sing at his services.

Professionally, Gary started working in the tire business at age 12. He was a partner with The Tire Factory at the time of his passing. He was an independent insurance agent for 36 years and started Organa Mineral Products in 1992.

Above all he was a guileless man of God with a quiet disposition and warmness about him that exemplified the gospel of Christ and brought many friends to his door. He magnified his priesthood callings and served in many capacities in his ward, stake and at the Dixie College Stake.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Jackson and children and grandchildren Lance & Kristi Jackson, Ashley, Jaden & Emma (St.George). Jill Jackson (West Valley City), Jane and Josh Hendricks and Gavin (Saratoga Springs), Hollie and John Nightingale, Preston, Avery, Jackson and Ellie (Portland, Oregon) and Luke and Kourtney Jackson (St.George).

Siblings: Nancy and Stan Sorensen (Mapleton), Jana and Glen Ames (Richfield) and James and Janeil Jackson (St.George) many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. George LDS Stake Center, 591 W. 500 N., St. George, Utah. A Viewing will be held Friday, August 13, 2010, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary,110 S. Bluff Street, and Saturday, August 14, 2010, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the Stake Center. Interment will be at the Toquerville Cemetery.

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