GARRETTSVILLE – Gerald ‘Jerry’ Eugene Jackson, 68, of Garrettsville died on June 9, 2019. He was curator/director of Stephens Memorial Observatory of Hiram College from 1997 to 2006.
He was born on March 23, 1951, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Hugh and Esther (Ostien) Jackson.
He is survived by his wife, Margie Jackson of over 41 years (married September 17, 1977), daughters, Kelly Wood, Heather Stieglitz, Erin Jackson, Katie Atchison, and Molly Jackson; his grandchildren, Jacob, Ryan, and Joshua Wood, and Madeline and Jonah Stieglitz; brothers, Hugh, Bill, and Dale Jackson; sister, Patricia Hrabak; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; and brothers- and sisters-in-law. Jackson was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Esther Jackson.
Jackson retired after 37 years of work from Environmental Growth Chambers in Chagrin Falls. He was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force (1969-1973) and a Vietnam War Veteran. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5067 and 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 11801 in Garrettsville. He was an active member of Saint Ambrose Catholic Church since 1982 where he has served as an usher and council member and enjoyed helping out with events.
Jackson loved astronomy, and he enjoyed teaching his daughters, grandchildren, and the community about the night sky. He was a former long-time member of the Mahoning Valley Astronomical Society having served the club in a number of positions including as president for many years. Jackson was a member of the Antique Telescope Society, and volunteered as director at the Hiram College observatory where he gave tours and maintained the facility’s 1901 vintage telescope. He left the observatory position in 2006.
Jackson together with his wife, Margie, loved to travel. They frequently visited their children and grandchildren from North Carolina to Alaska and took many cruises. Jerry was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan.
Please join Jerry’s family for a memorial visitation on Sunday, June 16, 2019, from 2-4 PM at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home & Cremation Services; 8382 Center St.; Garrettsville. Mass of Christian burial to be held on Monday, June 17, 2019, at 1 PM at St. Ambrose Catholic Church; 10692 Freedom St.; Garrettsville. Burial to be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery; 10175 Rawiga Road; Seville, Ohio 44273.
Online condolences at www.carlsonfuneralhomes.com
This item adapted from a Carlson Funeral Homes obituary published in the Record-Courier, June 13, 2019.
Stephens Memorial Observatory 