Donald Jackson

Donald Wayne Jackson, Sr., age 84, passed away Tuesday morning, May 29, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family after a long fought battle with Alzheimer's disease. Don was born on April 13, 1928, to Nina Mary Bazemore and William McCoy Jackson. Due to his mother's bad health, he went to work with his dad at the family business, Jackson Electric, when he was a small child. He was raised in West End and attended West End High School where he played right guard on their football team (#49). He was class valedictorian and gave the senior class address. He joined the Navy after graduation and served on the submarine USS Pomfret. After his honorable discharge from the Navy he attended Auburn (A.P.I.) and graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of Sigma Chi. While at Auburn he joined the Army Reserves and received his commission and later resigned as Major in 1967. He was a registered Professional Engineer in Alabama and Louisiana and a Senior Lifetime member of the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers. He went to live and work in Louisiana after college and was saved and baptized at Lafayette First Baptist Church by the Chaplin of Chanault's Flying Tigers. Don also worked in Alaska at Clear Site Air Force Base on the Early Warning System, after which he returned to Birmingham to continue the family business. Later he joined Rust Engineering and Southern Company Services, Inc. from which he retired in 1986. After retirement he drove the van for Clay Senior Center and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was a member of Ruhama Baptist Church and Huffman Baptist Church where he gladly served as Sunday School teacher and deacon. He loved his Savior Jesus Christ. Tears would come to his eyes when he thought of him dying on the Cross for him and all people. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and brother, William Malcom Jackson. He is survived by his loving wife, Elliene Franks Jackson; devoted son, Donald Wayne Jackson, Jr. (Stephanie), Atlanta; his sweet daughter, Amy Elliene Jakson Moffatt (Michel), Hurricane, West Virginia; step-sons (whom he loved as his own), Nick L. Souleotes (Carolyn), Lincoln and Louis M. Souleotes (Terry, Bardstown, Ky.), Pinson; six grandchildren: Robert and Derek Souleotes (Louisville, Ky.), Trey and Patrick Jackson, Lindsay and Michel Moffatt, Jr.; sister, Mildred Jackson McCarter, Ozark, Alabama, and her son James McCarter and daughter Carol Anne Caffey (Dr. Taylor); mother-in-law, Ruth Thomas Franks; sister-in-laws, Ruth Franks Strange Crenshaw and Carolyn Franks Payne; and numerous nieces and nephews. Donald was the true Southern Gentleman, kind with the sweetest smile, yet the strongest and most protective husband and father. He will be truly missed. Visitation will be 1:00 PM on Friday, June 1, at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Trussville. Service will be held immediately afterward, at 2:00 PM, with Ron Ethridge and Larry Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers donations to Huffman Baptist Church or to Gentiva Hospice, 2084 Valleydale Road, Hoover, Al, 35244, will be greatly appreciated. Many sincere thanks to all the hospice staff that took care of us over these many months and for all the prayers and care shown by our church family.