LTC (Ret.) Marvin LaRue “Jack” Jackson

LTC (Ret.) Marvin LaRue “Jack” Jackson, 92, of Cumming, Georgia, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2018.

Jack was born in Prentiss, Mississippi to James E. and Nannie Odie Jackson on June 27, 1926. He attended Carson High School before being drafted into the Army in 1944. During World War II he served with the 26^th Infantry Division, fighting from Metz, France to Czechoslovakia when the war ended. Returning home, he enrolled at Mississippi State University, where he played basketball and met the love of his life - Starkville native Barbara Allen. Jack and Barbara were married on December 20, 1947. After graduating from State, he rejoined the Army, this time as a 2nd Lieutenant, and was assigned to the 10th Infantry Division at Ft. Riley, Kansas. Three years later Jack shipped off to Korea, where he served as a company commander in the 7^th Infantry Regiment. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in the Korean War. After his time in Korea, he became an Army Ranger, one of his proudest achievements. Jack’s assignments in the 1960s took him to Puerto Rico, Mississippi, Kansas, back to Korea, Nebraska and Frankfurt, Germany as he rose in rank from Captain, to Major, to Lieutenant Colonel. In 1969 he entered his third conflict – the Vietnam War – as an operations staff officer in Da Nang. On June 30, 1971, Jack retired from the Army. Not ready to take off the uniform of his country, he taught JROTC in the Atlanta Public School system for the next 18 years. After retirement, he moved to Cumming, GA and worked part-time at a hardware store.

In retirement Jack enjoyed gardening and cheering on his two favorite Bulldog teams (MSU and UGA). He also loved reading his Bible, telling “Papa” stories, and spending time with family and friends. Jack was a member of Cumming First United Methodist Church and the Sorta-Fifties Sunday School class.

Jack is preceded in death in by his parents, six sisters and one brother. Surviving are his wife of 71 years, Barbara Jackson, daughter Patricia Terrell of Cumming, her husband Chuck and grandchildren Charles Terrell of Collierville, TN and Laura Ladd (Ben) of Newnan, GA., son Steve Jackson of Cumming, his wife Donna and grandchildren Amy Halley (John) of Ft. Myers, FL and Leigh Harper (John) of Loganville, GA., son Mark Jackson of Florence, SC, his wife Barrett and grandchildren Ridgely and Snowden. Other survivors include his brother, Ernest Jackson of Hattiesburg, MS and his sister Lois Broome of Hammond, LA, as well as great-grandchildren Grace and Kiersten Terrell, Jackson and Norah Kate Ladd, Olivia Harper, and Zach and Mac Halley.

Visitation will be held at McDonald & Son Funeral Home in Cumming on Friday, August 24^th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 25^th at 11am in the chapel of McDonald & Son Funeral Home with the Rev. Kathie Stasko officiating and full military honors. Burial will follow at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.

Flowers are welcome. Memorial contributions may be made to Burning Bush Communities 1436 Collins Road Ft. Myers, FL  33919 http://burningbushcommunities.org

Arrangements are by McDonald & Son Funeral Home in Cumming, GA (770) 886-9899.