Raymond Jackson Sr.

Raymond Leonard Jackson Sr. age 81 passed away on December 10, 2020 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Montana do to Congestive Heart Failure.

Raymond was born on March 02, 1939 to George Lincoln and Lucy (Dempsey) Jackson, in Glasgow, Montana. After 8th grade his father had him leave school to work their ranch in Kila, MT. Raymond went on to join the United States Army. Raymond served his country from spring of 1961 to October of 1963. He was stationed in South Korea at the DMZ zone for the majority of his time served across seas. He began his service as a “ Missile Mechanic “ and went on to become an “ MP “ with “ Special Sentry Dog Handler “ certification. Raymond had several distinguished awards, such as  “ Marksman “ and “ Sharpshooter.” Raymond was in South Korea during the Cuban Missile crisis. His Tack site was on high alert for quite a number of hours. This was a life altering event for most of those GIs.

In 1964 Raymond went on to marry the love of his life Sandra Lee Biggar in Whitefish, Montana. They had three beautiful children. Their daughter; Melinda (Tim Ferguson) of Eureka, Montana, Son; Phillip Jackson of Kalispell, Montana and Son; Raymond Jackson Jr. (Denise) of Kalispell, Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been married now for almost 57 years.

Raymond went back to school in 1970 at Flathead Community College in Kalispell, Montana where he earned his “ Associates of Applied Sciences Degree.”  Raymond was a member, in spirit, of Christ Church Episcopal in Kalispell, Montana. He was quite a well rounded man when it came to his careers. He logged with horse pulled skidders, worked in Stoltze Lumbermill and logged in the North Fork. He also became a Sargent at the Flathead Valley Sherriff’s Office Detention Center.

Raymond was quite the Fisherman. He had a personal mission in his fishing adventures, and it was to catch all the pike. He also loved to Hunt. He hunted deer, bear, grouse, duck and geese. He also enjoyed hobbies such as gardening, fly tying, woodworking and leather working. A man of many skills he was. He will be very missed.

Raymond is proceeded in death by Father; George Lincoln Jackson, Mother; Lucy (Dempsey) Jackson, and Brothers; George Franklin Jackson, Donald Jackson, Gary Jackson and Ronald Jackson.

Raymond is survived by his Wife; Sandra Jackson. His Daughter; Melinda and two Sons; Phillip and Raymond Jackson Jr. His Adopted Children; Shawn Cowen, Dawnette Briscoe, and Kelly Cook, Brothers; Clyde Jackson, Gerald Jackson and Lester Jackson. His Sisters; Bernice Bodeen, Pauline Vaughn, Janet Roberts and Neva Osmon. His Grandchildren; Alyssa Stratton, Zain Ferguson, Jared Ferguson, Mary Goldberg, Taylor Jackson, Jaycob Jackson, Jazmyn Jackson, Tia Franklin and many In-Laws, Nieces and Nephews.

Private family services were held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Raymond was laid to rest following his service at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell, Montana.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.