Gary Jackson

Gary Jackson, 65, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Tri-County Hospital in Lexington, Nebraska. He was born April 3, 1944, at Pierre, South Dakota to Leon and Vera (Boal) Jackson. Gary attended school in Presho, South Dakota, graduating high school with the class of 1962. He then went on to college at Dakota Weslyan College at Mitchell, South Dakota where he obtained his BA in Education. His first teaching job was at Lake Andes, South Dakota where he taught science. It was during his four year tenure at Lake Andes that he obtained his Masters in Education Administration from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. He met the love of his life, Connie Sip, during his first teaching job. He taught with Connie’s mother and this was where it all began. The couple was married August 15, 1970, at Lake Andes. Following their marriage the couple moved to Superior, Nebraska where they both taught for two years and the second year Gary was assistant principal. In 1972, they moved to Merna, Nebraska where Gary was principal at Anselmo-Merna until 1976, when he changed professions and started working at Farm Bureau Insurance in Broken Bow. In 1979, they moved to Ogallala where he was Division Manager for Farm Bureau Insurance until moving to Lexington in 1983, where he was Agency Manager and then career agent until retiring in June of 2009. Gary was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder and then the Lexington Christian Church where he also served as Elder. He was a member of the Waterfowlers, Life Underwriters and the Lexington Community Choir. Gary also enjoyed attending the early morning Men’s Bible Study. He had a passion for hunting, and kept meticulous records for precision reloading of ammunition and marksmanship. He enjoyed reading, gardening and visiting with folks from all walks of life. He shared his Faith with his loving Christian family and adored his granddaughters. He loved to take his kids and grandkids prairie dog hunting when all had the time. Gary will be so very missed. It was Gary’s decision that his body be cremated and his family honored those wishes. Survivors include his wife: Connie Jackson of Lexington, Nebraska One son: Nathan Jackson of Kearney, Nebraska One daughter: Wendy & Aaron Widger of Shenandoah, Iowa One brother: Larry & Sue Jackson of Gillette, Wyoming One sister: Jan DeGeest of Plankinton, South Dakota Three granddaughters: Tristin, Amy & Kaitlyn Widger of Shenandoah, Iowa Gary was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Roy DeGeest. Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lexington Christian Church in Lexington with Pastor Kyron C. BeDunnah officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials are strongly suggested, in lieu of flowers, to the Lexington Community Choir. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.