Kenneth Jackson

Kenneth Dee Jackson, 68, of Kirksville, Missouri passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 in St. Louis at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

The son of Wallace and Dortha (Ketchum) Jackson, Kenny was born in Kirksville on January 20, 1955.  On May 11, 1974 he married Joanne Sue Jones.

Surviving are his wife, Joanne, his children Stephanie LaVeine and husband Geoffrey of St. Louis and Eric Jackson of Kirksville, grandchildren Kenneth Tyler Hirschbeck, Jackson Glenn LaVeine, and Justin Dee LaVeine, sister Jeanne Kay Clark, brothers-in-law Chuck Jones and wife Pam of Macon, Steve Jones and wife Becky of Queen City, sister-in-law Jeanne Harding and husband Geoff of Greentop, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a lifetime of great friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Dave Clark, and nephew Alan Clark.

Kenny graduated from Lancaster High School in 1973 and was employed by Clark and Sons installing grain bins in Northeast Missouri.  In 1975, he began working for Ed Polovich as an electrician.  For eight years, Ed mentored Kenny and taught him all aspects of running a first-class business.  With Ed’s encouragement and support, Kenny started his own company in 1983.  Jackson Electric and Sign was incorporated in 1987.  For 40 years Kenny’s motto was, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”  Kenny mentored many employees through the years, including his son, Eric, who continues to operate Jackson Electric and Sign, Inc.

Kenny loved being a papa to Tyler, Jackson, and Justin.   He shared his life-long love of cars with Tyler by teaching him the importance of keeping all vehicles spotless by regularly washing and waxing them, and taking joy rides in his ’95 Torch Red Corvette and 50 ^th Anniversary Nightfall Gray Camaro Supersport convertible.

He had endless patience in teaching teenagers to drive – not only his own children but also his grandson Tyler and niece Olivia.

Over the years, Kenny was one of Jim Robertson Chevrolet’s best customers but found his pride and joy in Hurdland, Missouri when he purchased an original 1954 Empire Blue Chevrolet pickup.  While the truck won awards in car shows, Kenny most enjoyed teaching Tyler to drive the “3 on the tree” so they could putt back and forth to town.

Kenny and Joanne spent their summers at 1000 Hills cruising the lake with friends and family on their pontoon, “Bentley.”  They enjoyed grilling hot dogs with friends and family while listening to Solid Gold Saturday Nights on the radio.

For more than a decade, Kenny was a member of the NEMO Fair Board serving as President in 1994-95 when the fair moved to its current location.  Kenny was a strong supporter of the Kirksville R-III Booster Club and could be found outside the concession stand grilling every Friday night throughout football season. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Kirksville, the Adair Masonic Lodge 366, and El Kadir Shrine Club for over 40 years.

Kenny never met a stranger, always had a witty one-liner, and could drink scalding hot coffee with an oatmeal cream pie or cherry mash candy on a 110 degree day.

Masonic services will be held Friday, February 24, at 5 pm followed by public visitation until 7 pm.  Funeral services will be Saturday, February 25, at 10 am. All services will be held at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer with entombment in the Park View Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Pallbearers will be: John Ben Grossnickle, Greg Guffey, Nick Harris, John Moffit, Dennis Shultheiss, and Steve Treasure.

In honor of the joy his cat, Lucy Dee, brought to his life, the family encourages donations to the Adair County Humane Society.