John Edwin Jackson's Obituary
John Edwin Jackson, a lifelong writer, poet, and devoted disciple of Christ, passed away on April 21, 2026, following a courageous battle with heart failure. He was 71 years old.
He was born on December 20, 1954, in Alamosa, Colorado, John was the third of seven children born to Hyrum Lafayette and Mary LaRee Jackson. Before his second birthday, the family moved to rural Idaho, where John grew up on the farm his parents homesteaded. A proud 1973 graduate of Minidoka County (Minico) High School in Minidoka County, John’s early years were defined by the quiet discipline of farm life and a growing passion for the game of chess. John served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He served in various church capacities with a steadfast heart, always eager to share his faith through both word and deed.
John went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Brigham Young University. His career and personal journey took him through Wyoming and California before he ultimately settled in the Salt Lake Valley. John’s life was "peppered" with the written word. A professional journalist, he wrote for various newspapers and eventually published his own. He viewed writing as a tool for civic outreach and humanitarianism. Whether through frequent letters to the editor, his long-running blog, News As News Travels Fast, or his prolific social media presence, John remained engaged with the world until the very end; his final blog post was shared just two weeks before his passing. He was a dedicated employee of C.R. England for many years. In retirement, John found a second calling as a poet. He wrote extensively—not just for pleasure, but to advocate for a better world. He delighted in sharing his collections with his family via email, and several of his works were published in recent years.
John is survived by his siblings: Mary Stewart, Susan Jackson, Steven Jackson (MaryAnne), Jay Jackson, and Laura Davis (Bill). He was preceded in death by his parents, Hyrum and LaRee Jackson; his brother, Michael Jackson; and his brother-in-law, Doug Stewart.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?