Roger Ross Jackson. January 26 1941–November 9, 2024

Roger was born on January 26th 1941 to Raymond and Emma (Yarbrough) Jackson in
St Joseph MO .  He was the 6th of 8 children.

Roger attended school in St Joseph and in Wathena KS. At the age of 18 Roger joined the Navy and was stationed in SanDiego CA. He served on two destroyers, the USS Jenkins and the USS Marshal and the aircraft carrier the USS Lexington.

After his service in the Navy Roger married and had two children, Brian David Jackson (deceased 2007) and Kim Michele Bethel of New Mexico.

Roger pursued a career in the HVAC industry and was a member of the Pipefitters Local Union 533. He retired in 1995.

Roger was an avid racer whether on land or water. In his early years he drove a race car at the Riverside Raceway in Riverside MO.  And in his mid years he drove a drag boat in several different drag boat associations in the Midwest. He definitely liked going fast. In his later years he discovered the desert in AZ and built 3 ‘go fast’ deserts cars. No matter his age he continued liking going fast.

Roger’s first marriage ended in divorce but he found love again and married Barbara Coker (Jackson) in February 1991 where he became the stepfather to Damon Coker.

Roger is preceded in death by both his parents, his brothers Ronald Ray Jackson, Ramon Royce Jackson, Robert Ray (Pal)  Jackson; his sisters Raydeen Ruth Jackson, Ramona Radeen Clark, Roberta Rae Hixson and Ronda Rue Hendricks. It weighed heavily on his heart that he was the last remaining member of his immediate family.

In 2020 Roger found he had a daughter he did not know about. He gained a daughter, a son in law, two granddaughters and four great grandchildren. An instant family that accepted him with open arms.

Roger leaves behind his wife of 33 years Barbara Jackson, stepson Damon Coker (Annie), grandson Dylan Coker, daughter Kim Michele Bethel (NM), daughter Chris Hurd Brooks (Bill), granddaughters Kasey White (Dallas) and Jessi Brooks, great grandchildren, Mikah Heiman, Fynlee Heiman, Brylee Flamm  and Jaxon Allen.

Roger leaves behind numerous close friends, kudos to Del and Jamie Peterson for standing by Barbs side throughout some trying times. DJ Carter for always being there. Todd Martin and Jeannine Brumley for being very caring friends and so many more to numerous to name.