Obituary

Donald Jackson
May 25, 1939-February 4, 2022

Donald Jackson left this earth on February 4, 2022, following a lengthy illness. He was born May 25, 1939 in Dill City, Oklahoma, the seventh of eight children born to Irvin and Lila Jackson (Van Vranken)
He served 4 years active duty in the U.S. Army, was stationed in France, followed by 19 years with the Army National Guard.
He retired in 1994, with the rank of Captain, from the Oregon Department of Corrections, after 25 years of employment. During his career with ODOC, Don was known in several northwest states as the premier staff trainer for those choosing careers in this often misunderstood profession.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharon Jackson (Rogers), daughters Donyale Jackson, husband Troy Smart, Donna Frambers, son Brad Jackson, wife Shanon, sister Erma Youngblood, bonus children Chuck Sander, Angi Gallino, husband, James, Geni Parrish, Tami Sampson, husband, Tom, and Dan Billow, wife Krista, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by daughter Cindy, his parents, brothers Eugene, Les, Virgil, and Carroll, sisters Verna Powell and Olma Rider, grandsons Caleb Wright and Nelson Pickett Jr. and granddaughter Lacee Gallino.
Services are scheduled for February 18, at St. Mary’s Church in Pendleton, Oregon, at 11:00 am, and Rosary at Burns Mortuary in Pendleton at 7:00 pm on February 17th. Following the funeral services and inurnment, on the 18th, a celebration of life will be held at the Roy Raley Room, at Pendleton Roundup grounds.
Friends and family will remember Don as an active, charismatic man who loved to push himself to the limit, especially in his lifelong passion for running. For several years, he was a proud participant in the Annual Hood to the Coast run, where he made lifelong friends among fellow participants. If you knew Don during his years in Pendleton, you probably remember seeing him jogging every day in snow, ice, rain, and summer heat.
Following their retirements from Oregon Department of Corrections, Don and Sharon spent years traveling in their RV with their beloved Yorkies, Gatsby and Dais, visiting many of the country’s beautiful states, making new friends, and visiting family in other states.