Emery (Dean) Jackson
Columbus
Emery (Dean) Jackson, 79, died at 9:55 a.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at his home with his family after struggling for a month with cancer. Folks can attribute God’s will (as he would) or bad luck for this disease taking his life too soon. In any case, we are grateful for the gifts of his teaching, love, humor, kindness and compassion he generously bestowed on all who met him.
Dean is survived by the love of his life of 60 years, Ollie, who gave him hope, strength and abiding love. He met her at the JC store in Bedford, Indiana, and meticulously washed his 2 tone green Chevy before driving the dusty country roads to pick up the most beautiful woman on the planet. They married on the hottest day on record in August 12, 1956 with an overflowing crowd of family and friends in witness at Old Union Church in Williams, Indiana and set out for Columbus shortly thereafter. Dean and Ollie traveled to many places including and mostly Florida. He always got a kick out of hearing about the Indiana weather – snow, ice and blizzards – while in Florida in January. Dean lived an extraordinary happy life side by side with Ollie.
Dean, with Ollie, raised three children instilling in them their values, grace and goodness. He woke them up each morning with a song, listened patiently to the groaning when he reminded them to make their beds and tucked them in each night. Our family is wealthy beyond all wealth in that Dad (and our mother) provided an abundance of love, laughter and stability.
Dean’s father died tragically when Dean was only eight years old. His mother and, in total, nine sisters and brothers built a life together based on Christ, hard work and dedication to each other – a family bond of love so strong nothing, not even death, can break it. Regardless of distance, work or other pressures of life, Dean made sure he and his family never missed a family gathering. He demonstrated his commitment to family through words and actions – an example we should strive to emulate.
Deano’s, a small country store in Ogilville, Indiana, was the name of his life’s dream. Named after Dean + O for Ollie, customers assumed for him the name of Deano and many still call him by that name. He didn’t mind. He enjoyed all of Deano’s customers, neighbors and employees – a community still “part of the family” today. The crew from Cummins Walesboro plant made Deano’s sandwiches famous. They would come and stand in line for those sandwiches, a side of Ollie’s Pistachio salad, or Gom or whatever Ollie may have put in the slow cooker that morning. Folks would come for miles to buy Dean’s ham loaves. Politicians would come by the store to shake his hand – and Dean would always freely give them his well informed and thoughtful opinions.
Dean was a meat and potatoes man through and through. Beef and noodles, Ollie’s yeast rolls and strawberry jam and Ollie’s apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream. He loved Ollie’s cooking! A voracious reader, eager to learn, excited about IU basketball and trying new things. In the early 70’s Dean had a mechanically challenged red Volkswagen Beetle. Encouraged by his friends that Volkswagen Beetles were easy to fix, Dean set about taking that bug apart bolt by bolt, piece by piece. Months later, we watched a tow truck back up to the garage and take away the frame and boxes and boxes of parts never to be seen again. Dean laughed about that all the rest of his life.
Dean never met a stranger and could carry on a lively conversation about anything to anyone. Across southern Indiana to Florida, in-between and beyond, he was genuinely interested in everyone and always helped those in need. A warm hug, kind words, lending a hand or bundling up and snow blowing his neighbors sidewalks and driveways – his heart was out there whenever; wherever it was needed. The world has lost a great man who would want us to carry on our lives led by his example. For all those who kept him company before and during his illness, he truly valued your smile, friendship, love, care and concern.
Survivors include his wife Ollie; children, Deana (Dan) Perry, Jami (Ron) Koenig and Kent (Gloria) Jackson; grandchildren, Ryan Perry, Paige (Erin) Brown, Sarah (Glendon) Cox, Eli Jackson, Emma Jackson; great-grandchildren, Ella and Avery Brown; sisters, Jewell Sweeney, Gloria Ann Kruchten and Myra Shipman; and, as Dean was so very blessed, a large extended family near and dear to Uncle Dean’s heart.
His parents; brothers, Tunis Paul, Wilford, Cloyce and Gary; sister Dora Beatrice; and many friends have been waiting in heaven to greet him – and may we feel comfort in knowing that he is hugging, singing, talking and laughing with good company for eternity.
The funeral will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with Greg Walker officiating.
Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to time of service Friday.
Burial will be at Flat Rock Baptist Cemetery.
Our Hospice of South Central Indiana served our family well. If you wish, a memorial contribution to this organization will help to carry on their good work.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Jackson family at barkesweaverglick.com
barkesweaverglick.com
