J.R. Jackson

J.R. Jackson, 97, retired Pocahontas banker, died Tuesday, April 5. Jackson was born April 29, 1913 in Paragould to the late A.W. and Jennie Lightle Jackson. After graduation from Paragould High School, he earned degrees from New Mexico Military Institute, the University of Chicago, the University of Arkansas and Yale University. He also graduated from the LSU School of Banking. He was a Civil Engineer in his early working years, and operated Sallee Bros. Handle Factory in Pocahontas from 1945 to 1958. He spent 35 years as an Officer and Director of Bank of Pocahontas, retiring from banking in 1990. Jackson was also involved in rice, soybean and Angus cattle farming through ownership of farm land in Randolph County. Dick, as he was affectionately known, was actively involved in a wide variety of civic and community affairs. He served on the Pocahontas School Board, was Chairman of the Pocahontas Water Commission for 25 years, served as President of the Pocahontas Rotary Club where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow, was an organizer of the Rolling Hills Country Club in Pocahontas and served for 10 years as that organization's first treasurer. He joined the Pocahontas First United Methodist Church in 1952, and had been an active member holding many offices and teaching Sunday School. Dick was an avid golfer who played regularly into his early 90's. He was also an ardent Razorback enthusiast who believed that the Razorback's chances of winning were lessened if he did not wear red on game days. By far his favorite activity was anything involving his family. The thing he disliked the most about being in his 90's was the inability to play on the floor with his great grandchildren. Survivors include his wife of 74 years, Genevieve Sallee Jackson of Pocahontas; two sons, John Jackson & wife Mary and Raymond Jackson & wife Ginger all of Pocahontas; daughters, Sue Gibson & husband Danny of Walnut Ridge and Lucy Jordan & husband Steve of Searcy. Also surviving are seven grandchildren & spouses; Caroline & David Morgan of Conway, Laura & Blake Whitley of Hot Springs, Elizabeth & Wade Williams of Fayetteville, Jeff & Allison Hatfield, Emily & Grant Cox and Alice Ann Jordan all of Little Rock and Genny & Porter Montgomery of Dallas, Texas; 11 great-grandchildren are Clair & Paige Whitley, Matthew, Jackson & Henry Cole, Jessica & John David Morgan, Meredith & Garrett Hatfield and John & Charlie Montgomery. In addition he is survived by three step grandchildren, Mike Miller of Pocahontas, Sloane Kelley and Shannon Cox of Walnut Ridge along with ten step-great-grandchildren Mary Katherine & Payton Miller, Cameron, Barrett, John-Scott & Caroline Kelley, Andrew Smith, Abbey Cox and Lucy & Leslie Williams. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Rebecca Luck and brother, Bill Jackson. Visitation is Friday, April 8, 5-7 p.m. in the Chapel of McNabb Funeral Home in Pocahontas. Services are Saturday, April 9 at 11 a.m. with Rockey Starnes officiating in the Chapel of McNabb Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Randolph Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are Jeff Hatfield, Blake Whitley, David Morgan, Mike Miller, Porter Montgomery, Grant Cox, and Wade Williams. Memorials may be made to: First United Methodist Church, 400 Thomasville Ave., Pocahontas, Ark. 72455.