Robert (Bob) Louis Jackson was born March 15, 1930, in the Dilworth oil field close to Braman, Oklahoma, to Louis Dickenson and Ethel Elizabeth (Erhard) Jackson.
He died February 9, 2024, at Newton Medical Center.
The family moved to a farm near Perth, KS, when Bob was 6 months old. In 1936, the family moved to Florence, KS, where Bob began his schooling. In 1938, they moved to Newton. Bob has been a resident of Newton since that time and graduated with the class of 1948.
Bob married Elma Lough in June 1951 at the EUB. They had 6 children: Dean, Carol, Randy, Scott, Beverly and Nancy. Bob started his career in construction in 1948, working for Wiens, constructing the EUB Church at First and Old Main. In 1968 the EUB joined the Methodist Church and is now the Salem United Methodist Church. Bob continued working for Wiens construction until 1960, then started his own construction company called Robert L. Jackson Construction.
Bob began going to church at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1938 and became a member in 1942. He was active in teaching Sunday school for 10 years; served as board member on several committees; and loved to sing in the church choir which he did for 43 years. He sang in several quartets and with is sister, Joanne. Bob also played tuba for 2 years in the church orchestra and was a member of the Wibands Sunday School Class. Bob spent 14 years as part-time custodian for Salem United Methodist Church.
Bob joined the National Guard in 1950. He went on active duty in 1951 for schooling. He remained in the National Guard. In 1968 he was activated into the Army. In 1969, he got orders to Vietnam. Bob was wounded in July 1969 and remained hospitalized until December 28, 1969. Bob received the Purple Heart and various other awards. He re-joined the National Guard in 1970 and retired in 1974.
After returning from Vietnam, he worked for Dick Alumbaugh building Peter Pan stores across the state. Bob worked for Harvey County as the Administrative Assistant from 1973-1976 and was responsible for building the recreational buildings at East Lake. In 1978 the family formed Sundot Enterprises, INC. During this time Bob and his sons built many prefab national homes; several nursing homes and churches. Sundot disbanded in 1985 at which time Jackson Construction started up again and ran until 1987. Bob worked for Youthville for 2 years and then went to work for Genco, retiring from there in 1990.
Bob was active in sports and won many awards over the years. Bob started playing basketball with Evangelical United Brethren Church Team in 1940 and played for 49 years. He played baseball from 1942-1956, fast pitch softball from 1942-1965 and slow pitch softball from 1965-1995. Bob was also a wonderful bowler. He bowled from 1956-2005. He had to give it up after his stroke.
After Bob and Elma divorced, Bob married Becky Dennett at Salem United Methodist Church. Bob had 3 step-sons with Becky, Dennis Dennett, Duaine Dennett, and Darren Dennett.
Bob and Becky traveled to Guatemala in 1993 with the volunteers in Mission Team to build church pews and tables. They went to Hawaii for their honeymoon and returned again in 1994.
Bob and Becky enjoyed traveling. They enjoyed 10 cruises, their favorite being Alaska. They took several bus tours and were privileged to go to Washington D.C. and see the Vietnam memorial and Arlington Cemetery’s changing of the guard. They travelled to all 50 states.
Bob and Becky loved to go dancing and enjoyed attending concerts.
Bob and Becky adopted a grandson, Dustin and raised him as their own. They enjoyed taking him with them on trips.
Bob was a lifetime member of the VFW and The American Legion and the 40 and 8 AMVETS.
Survivors include his wife, Becky of the home; sons, Randy Jackson of Newton and Dustin Dennett of Newton; daughters: Carol (Ken) Drake of Towanda and Beverly Roach of Newton; 12 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren, 11 step-great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren and 1 step-great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Scott Jackson and Dean Jackson; daughter, Nancy Wells; granddaughter, Jennifer Roach; great-grandson, Christopher Arrowsmith; sisters, Joanne Rietchek and Joyce Elaine Jackson and his parents.
A memorial to celebrate Bob’s life will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 16, 2024 at Salem United Methodist Church in Newton, Kansas. The family will greet friends after services in the family life center. A memorial graveside service with military honors will be held a later date.
Memorial contributions in Bob’s name may be made to Salem United Methodist Church.