Roll Call Tribute

John E. "Jack" Jackson, COL USA (Ret) 

October 27, 1942 - February 7, 2025 

Pastor John Edward Jackson, 82, of Gallipolis, OH died Friday, February 7, 2025, at Holzer Medical Center. He was born October 27, 1942, in Winters, Texas, to the late John Milton and Alma Lena (Jacob) Jackson.

Survivors include his wife, Carol Elaine (Blum) Jackson, whom he married April 19, 1968, in Columbus; two brothers, Alvis (Donna) Jackson of Abilene, Texas, and Calvin (Ginny) Jackson of Winters; one sister-in-law, Barbara Jackson of Rancho Mirage, California; five children, Amy (Kevin) Pinson of Zanesville, Bianca Jackson of Illinois, and Annette Holliday, John Jackson and David Jackson all of Gallipolis; fifteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Pastor Jackson was preceded in death by one brother, Walton Jackson; one sister, Freda Lou Bredemeyer; and one brother-in-law, Lawrence Bredemeyer.

Pastor Jackson graduated from Winters High School in 1961. He studied Sociology at Texas A&M University and earned a Bachelor of Science in 1964. In 1968, he graduated from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus.

Before retiring in 2015, Pastor Jackson served 47 years behind the pulpit – first at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lawrenceburg, Indiana (1968-1984), then at New Life Lutheran Church in Gallipolis (1984-2009) and lastly, at Faith Lutheran Church in Jackson (2009-2015). While serving at New Life, Pastor Jackson led the congregation in building a new church on Jackson Pike.

Pastor Jackson served in the US Army Reserves and Ohio National Guard for 33 years, retiring at the rank of colonel in 1998. He was a chaplain and once served as the NATO chaplain in Bosnia 1997-1998. He was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2009.

After his retirement, Pastor Jackson enjoyed serving as a substitute pastor for churches in Gallipolis, Thornville, Logan and Point Pleasant, West Virginia. He also served as a counselor for divorcees, grieving families and those struggling with addiction.

Pastor Jackson was not only a servant of God, but also of his community. He is a past director of the Gallia County Farm Bureau, past vice president of the Gallia County Ministerial Association and a life member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He volunteered as a chaplain for Holzer Medical Center and for countless blood drives and food giveaways. He was honored as a Kentucky Colonel in 1983 and co-founded Keep Gallia Beautiful, an anti-litter campaign.

Pastor Jackson enjoyed raising cattle and fishing on his farm with his children and grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 1, 2025 at New Life Lutheran Church, 900 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis, OH followed by visitation and a luncheon.