John Douglas Jackson was born March 12, 1925, in Austin, TX, to Maud Esther and John Jackson. He joined the First Baptist Church at the early age of eight.
John, “Doug,“ as he was called by those who knew him well, graduated from Anderson High School in January of 1941 at the age of 16 and enrolled in Tillotson College. However, in answering his country’s call, he joined the United States Navy in 1943. John served in the Asiatic Pacific and earned the Good Conduct Medal for World War II service.
In 1946, he married Delores Mae Pendergrass, the first love of his life. Two children were born to this union, daughters Anita and Esther, whom he adored. Sadly, his daughter Esther preceded him in death in 1977, and his beloved wife Delores passed in 2004. As a man of faith, he focused on working with and supporting his Bethel Baptist Church family. While worshiping at Bethel Baptist Church, John met and married the second love of his life, Thommie Rozelia Flanagan, on December 9, 2006.
During John’s 30 years of military service, he faced a turbulent phase of events. The Korean War, the Vietnam War, along with China and the Middle East disturbances. Triumphantly, as Chief Personnelman on board destroyers and cruisers, he performed with superior quality and dedication to duty. Thus, he received several medals and awards for his service.
He will always be remembered for the impeccable way he wore his Sunday dress suits, his love of cooking, his sense of humor, his kindness, and his willingness to help others. He was recently preceded in death by his wife Rozelia.
On Sunday, October 9, 2022, John Douglas Jackson was called home to Glory. He leaves to cherish his memory: daughter, Anita (Thomas) Chestney of Middletown, DE; nieces, Dianette (Jeffery) Ricks, Myesha (Keith) Baham, Ilori Baham, Lavern (Darrell) Smith of Antioch, CA, Wendy Freeman of Stockton, CA, Vershawn Saxton of Las Vegas, NV; nephews, Victor (Naomi) Saxton, Keith Baham Jr. of San Diego, CA; and a host of other nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
