John Crawford Jackson
October 5, 1926 ~ January 23, 2021
Born in:
Madison Co., NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
John Crawford Jackson, 94, of Asheville, died January 23, 2021. Born in Madison County, Mr. Jackson lived most of his life in Buncombe County, having been raised in the Leicester Community. He was the son of the late Ernest Lee Jackson and Bonnie Bailey Jackson. Also preceding him in death were two sisters, Ida Lee Jackson and Bailey Lee Jackson; one brother, William Edward Jackson, a son, Carl Richard Jackson and the mother of his children, Betty Haynie Jackson.
Mr. Jackson attended Cecil’s Business College and Asheville-Buncombe Technical College. He was a U.S. Marine Corp veteran, having served in Guam and China during World War II before a 38-year career with the U.S. Postal Service beginning as a letter carrier in Asheville. He then served in a number of teaching and management positions in NC, DC, FL, and retired from the Postal Career Executive Service in Oklahoma City, OK. During this time, he attended special management schools: University of West Florida, University of Oklahoma and Darden Graduate School of Business at The University of Virginia.
Mr. Jackson was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church USA and a member of First Presbyterian Church in Asheville, NC where he was very active, having served two three-year terms on the Session, including two years as Clerk of Session and on numerous committees, including the Pastor Nominating Committee in 2009.
He was a member of Oasis Shrine Temple, Mt. Hermon Masonic Lodge, lifetime board member of The Land of the Sky Shrine Club and patient coordinator for The Shrine Children’s Hospitals for many years. He also served as a Director for the Juvenile Evaluation Center, was active with Habitat for Humanity and was a former member of the Civitan Club. He was a member of the Country Club of Asheville and the Black Mountain Golf Club. John was an avid golfer, having achieved the golfer’s dream of having made a “hole-in-one” and was a true sports enthusiast.
Mr. Jackson is survived by his loving wife, Martha Henley Jackson, daughter Brenda Hunt and her husband, Drew of Ponte Vedra, FL; grandson, Noel and his wife, Kelly and great grandsons, Noel, Boone and Shea of Jacksonville, FL; stepson David Teague and his wife, Barbara of Richmond, VA and step grand-daughters Lara (Liam) and step great grandsons Jack and George of Richmond, VA and Lindsay (John) of Imperial Beach, CA.
A private interment will be held in the Memorial Gardens at First Presbyterian Church, Asheville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners’ Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville, SC, Habitat for Humanity or First Presbyterian Church Outreach Committee, 40 Church St., Asheville, NC 28801.
A virtual Memorial Service will be available on February 6, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. on the website of First Presbyterian Church Asheville at www.fpcasheville.org
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the on-line register at www.grocefuneralhome.com
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John will be so missed. Such a gentleman and friend. Always loved seeing him at the Shrine Club. He was an inspiration.
John Jackson and Martha are and have been two of the most wonderfully gracious people I have ever known. He was always been ready to greet us and give a giant hug to say good morning. Oh, I love this man and will miss him so.
Doug and Rebecca Huntley
The finest loving cousin of mine Denver
John Jackson was a true friend and brother in the Lord. I met John in 1993 when we moved to the Swannanoa Valley and became a member of the Geritol Duffers Gold Club. John was mild mannered but spoke his mind. He was always willing to help people and was respected by all who knew him. He will be missed! Our blessings to his gracious wife, Martha.
John Jackson brought such joy to me often. At times I would answer the phone at my parents house and I’d hear ” John Jackson here” and it would create joy!! He was a dear friend to my dad, Bill Stanley. I guess they are figuring out a menu in heaven now… God be with you all.
John loved his Martha more than anything in the world and worshiped the ground she walked on. In turn, Martha offered John a second chance at life. She showed him what it was like to be happy, what it was like to love, laugh and live. I feel that John would not have lived such a long and wonderful life had it not been for Martha. They made each other whole again and that does not go away with death for the spirit lives forever.
We are so very sorry to learn of John’s death. He has long been a wonderful vibrant member of our church. Always warm and friendly. Gene remembers how supportive John and Martha were every time he taught a class. I remember looking for them at Reuter Center Singer concerts and being delighted when I saw them. They were always there.
He will be missed. Our love goes to Martha.