Oct. 3, 2011
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -
There will be a Celebration of Life gathering for Earl Jackson, the father of Western Washington University head men's basketball coach Brad Jackson, on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club. A reception will follow. Those wishing to attend, please RSVP to djbbmom@hotmail.com.
Earl Lee Jackson, born to Everett and Grace Jackson on October 30, 1919 in Orofino, Id., left his physical form September 25, 2011 to make a tee time with his Lord Jesus.
Earl grew up in Chewelah, Wash., where he worked many jobs and became a skilled craftsman/handyman. Also gifted musically, he played saxophone in the local jazz band.
After graduating from Chewelah High School in 1937, he attended Washington State College for two years prior to joining the U.S. Air Force. He served proudly as an aircraft sheet metal mechanic during World War II. When he returned home in 1945, he married his childhood friend and high school sweetheart Evelyn Acorn. He then completed his coursework at Washington State and received bachelors of arts degrees in education and industrial arts in 1950. He took his first teaching position at Vancouver High School. He continued instructing in the classroom, counseling, and coaching baseball and golf, while completing a masters of education degree in administration and supervision at Oregon State College in 1960. He then transitioned into the role of Dean of Students at Hudson's Bay High School and subsequently Principal at Fort Vancouver High School.
Earl was actively involved in Civic affairs, serving on many boards, including the March of Dimes. He enjoyed working in his garden, making applesauce, camping with his family, fishing, and playing golf.
Earl, a kind and gentle spirit, a humble, honest, hardworking man of integrity, and a quiet man of faith; his great joy was to actively participate in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He traveled extensively, often across the country, to ensure he rarely missed a game or performance.
He was a role model and encouragement not only to his family, but to the many lives he reached through his service to the school district, years of coaching, and his dedicated support of Washington State, Western Washington, and Centralia High School athletics.
He and his wife Evelyn, considered all those involved with Western Athletics to be family, and even celebrated many of their birthdays and anniversaries at basketball games in Sam Carver Gymnasium, demonstrating their selfless commitment to the program.
Earl was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by his wife of 66 years, Evelyn, son Bradley Jackson (and wife Debbie), daughter Brenda Penman (and husband Tim), grandchildren Lynsey Jackson, Kyle (and wife Amy) Jackson, Todd Penman, Betsy Ann Penman, and great-grandchildren Klayton, Kennedy and Baby #3.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Western Washington University Men's Basketball or Centralia High School Boy's Basketball.
