Carl Jackson, Jr.

Carl Jackson, Jr., a life-long resident of North Little Rock, passed away suddenly June 23, 2019.  He was born April 23, 1938 to the late Carl Jackson, Sr. and the late Alpha Gertrude Wood Jackson.  He was raised by his dad, Carl Sr., and the late Dorothy Marie Jackson, his beloved stepmom, and enjoyed spending summers with his mom Alpha and devoted stepfather, Thomas H. Fisk of Long Beach, California. Carl Jr. graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1956.  His dad had a grocery store on 36th and Gum in Levy.  So, when Carl went to work for Safeway it was no surprise.

Carl enlisted in the Army National Guard of Arkansas and soon went to work for them.  He was not proud to say he participated in the 1957 event at Little Rock Central High School.  He continued to work for and serve in the National Guard and retired after 42 years of service.  During those years, he received many awards and commendations, with the final commission in 1985 as a CW4 Warrant Officer. While in the guard, he served in the 212th Signal Battalion, the 39th Infantry Brigade, the 148th Evac Hospital Unit and retired with the SPMO unit.

In 1972 Carl joined the Arkansas Jaycees and credit them with much of his success.  He was one of the founding board members for the North Little Rock Handicapped Services which was later absorbed by the ARC.  His tenure with both boards was 35 years.  His love for North Little Rock led him to volunteer for the city Board of Adjustments where he served for 30 years.

Over the years he served as Executive Director of the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Association of the Army National Guard of Arkansas, the Arkansas Jewelers’ Association, and the Arkansas Air Conditioners’ Association.  Upon retirement, Carl accepted the position of Executive Director of the Riverbend Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center where he remained for seven years.

Through their married years, Carl and Kathy RV’d and traveled to all 50 states accompanied by their fur babies, Sophie and Barney.  Carl also loved to work in his yard, where he spent many of his retired days.  He liked to say he could grow everything except grass.  He loved working out with friends at the Patrick Henry Hayes Center.  He was very active with the North Little Rock Rotary.  He was a member of Lakewood United Methodist Church.

Carl is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kathryn “Kathy” Simpkins Jackson of  North Little Rock; daughter, Julie Nichols of Sherwood; son, Kip Jackson and wife Robin Whitten Jackson of Sherwood; grandsons, Jackson Nichols and wife Alex of Valdosta, Georgia and Jared Nichols also of Sherwood; siblings:  James “J.J.” Jackson and wife Barbara of North Little Rock and Anita Jackson of Vilonia; numerous nieces and nephews; his brother-in-law Thurman William Simpkins of Fairhope, Alabama; and many friends and extended family  whom Carl loved dearly.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, and mother of his children, Janice Blackwood Jackson.

An informal Visitation Reception will be from 5:00 to 7:30 PM, Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home.  Burial with military honors will be at 1:00 PM Friday, June 28, 2019 at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock.  The family invites you to share a memory and sign the online guestbook at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Carl  and in honor of Kip Jackson may be sent  by mail to the ALS Association of AR, 1200 West Walnut Suite 2406-08, Rogers, AR  72756, or online at www.als-arkansas.org.