Jason Melvin Jackson

Jason Melvin Jackson, Newberry SC – Jason Melvin Jackson, 96, of Newberry, SC, passed from this life on April 6, 2018. Born on December 17, 1921, h e was the son of Cloyd and Corrie Elizabeth Porter Jackson. He was predeceased by his wife Roberta A . Jackson. He is survived by his daughters, Harriette Kirk, Barbara Crawford (Harold), Beth Dawn (George), Susan Kunkle (Dean), and Karen C ohn.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Halle and Jackson Kirk, Tiffany Crawford, Katie Dawn, and Alexandra and Dean Kunkle. The family is thankful for the friendship he shared with all of his nieces and nephews, especially Judy Jackson Patrick, Leah Patrick Bradberry, Marilyn Pridgeon and Lamon Moates.

Mr. Jackson was also predeceased by his siblings Mattie Moates, Hilliard Mitchell, Katherine Bannister, Claudia Miller, Mozelle Jackson, Porter Jackson, Jimmy Jackson, Edgar Jackson and Othelia Jackson.

Mr. Jackson was an Army veteran of World War II , serving under General George Patton , where he reached the rank of S er ge a nt.  He was in the second wave at Normandy and served at the Battle of the Bulge.  He served in Northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe.  He was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, the Eamet Campaign Ribbon with one silver star and the Victory Medal.  During the war, he helped liberate a concentration camp in Germany and was in Paris, France for the Victory March. On January 4, 2005, Mr. Jackson was awarded a certificate from the French Republic in recognition of t he liberation of France.

In 2014, Mr. Jackson was recognized by the Rotary Club of Lake Murray-Irmo as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Mr. Jackson was a graduate of Newberry College and taught in Calhoun Falls, SC until his retirement.  He was well liked by his students and two of them came to Newberry to help Mr. Jackson celebrate his 90 th birthday.  One even brought a flyrod that Mr. Jackson gave him almost 40 years earlier.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Mr. Jackson was one of the first fly fisherm e n in South Carolina and a crack shot .  In addition to fly fishing, Mr. Jackson bred and train ed hunting dogs.

A graveside service will be at 4:00 pm Wednesday April 11, 2018 at Newberry Memorial Garners.