Lon Jackson, 98, passed away peacefully at his home in Sapulpa on January 28. He died knowing that he was well-loved and cared for by his family and friends. Lon Tyler Jackson, Jr. was born to Lon and Inez Jackson on September 7, 1923. Born and raised in Sapulpa, Lon graduated from Sapulpa High in 1941 and attended New Mexico Military Institute. In 1942, he enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corp and took flight training at Harding Field in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He saw combat in Europe during WWII as a first lieutenant fighter pilot manning a P-47 Thunderbolt, The Golden Gopher. After the war, Lon attended OU where he pledged Beta Theta Pi and graduated with a business degree. He worked alongside his father in the family insurance and real estate business and continued the business after Lon Sr’s death.
Lon grew up hunting, fishing and scouting-activities that he continued throughout his long life. His hunting and fishing buddies were family to him, and he looked forward to his Alaskan fishing trip every summer for over 30 years. Lon also loved to cook for friends, spend time with family, work on the family cattle ranch, play golf and watch Atlanta Braves baseball on TV. He was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Sapulpa where he served as an Elder and Trustee. He also attended Life Church with Mack and Malachi.
Lon was a devoted volunteer, fundraiser and community advocate. He gave his time to the Rotary Club, Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce, the Tulsa Area United Way, and the Tulsa Area Boy Scouts. Nearest and dearest to his heart was his work with the Salvation Army, where he volunteered in almost every capacity and was instrumental in raising funds to build Sapulpa’s Salvation Army Community Center and ball fields, as well the Boys and Girls Club’s summer and after-school programs. Lon rang the bell every winter for the Red Kettle Campaign for as long as his health allowed.
Lon attended the first National Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937 at the capital, along with 25,000 other scouts who camped around the Washington Monument and Tidal Basin. He received a life membership in the Indian Nations Council and was awarded the Silver Beaver. In February 2020, he was honored by the Sapulpa Boy Scouts with a Golden Eagle Award. He was happy and proud that some of his grand children and great grandchildren also enjoy the benefits of scouting. In addition to scouting awards, Lon also received Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship, Salvation Army “Others” Award, and Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen in 1995.
Lon lived with a positive attitude and a great sense of humor. Over the years he took many wonderful trips with family and friends. He ate a lot of good meals and drank some good scotch. He took care of his health and was devoted to his family. He loved people and had a genuine interest in others. Even in his last few months of life, as his health deteriorated, his eyes would still light up and his smile engage when someone new walked in the door.
Lon was preceded in death by his sisters Reba Hinderer, Wilma Davidson, and Mildred Lisle; his grandson, Marcus Jackson; and his dear companion, Barbara Berry. He is survived by his children, Mack Jackson, Jenny (Tony) Clyde, and Steven (Petra) Jackson; grandchildren, Kara (Wayne) Milne, Jordan (Marisa) Jackson, Tiffany (Jackie) Nunamaker, Tilda Clyde, and Zoe Jackson; great grandchildren, Malachi Jackson, Weston Gaulin, Evie and Jackson Milne, EJ and Christian Jackson, Brantley, Arianna, Chrystlen and Harley Nunamaker; his nieces and nephews, a few cousins, and many dear friends.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Sapulpa at 3pm. on Wed., February 9. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sapulpa Salvation Army.
