James Jackson

James Andrew Jackson, 75, Sparkman, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2019, in Arkadelphia. James was born November 3, 1943, in Okolona to the late Henry and Flora Jackson. James is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Henry Junior Jackson and Jonnie Harvie Jackson; one nephew, John Golden; and a special cousin, Wanda Goodman. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 50 years, Belinda Jackson of Sparkman; son, Scott (Wendy) Jackson of Dalark; daughter, Jamie (Kenny) Martin of Denham Springs, La.; seven grandchildren, Aubree (Jordan) Cole, Jacob (Destiny) White, Brandon Frazier, Joshua (Haley) White, Jordan Jackson, Kenny Farris and Lanelee Farris; two sisters, Lula Belle Deaton of Bismarck, and Dixie Ellen Canada of Arkadelphia; and two special cousins, Alan Dale Jones and Ashley Goodman, both of Gurdon.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, James served aboard the USS Enterprise, 1966-1968, as a Petty Officer in support of the Gulf of Tonkin during Vietnam, completing missions during the Pueblo event and Tet Offensive. Following his discharge, James worked for more than 40 years in the timber industry as a sawyer, millwright and lumber grader. An avid outdoorsman, James was a PADI-certified scuba instructor, a licensed private pilot, an award-winning archer, and enjoyed riding motorcycles, four-wheelers, and dirt bikes with his family and friends.

Visitation with the family will be Thursday, August 1, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. at Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home with a Memorial service to follow at 6:00 p.m. with Military Honors.