Robert Duane Jackson's Obituary
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Robert Duane Jackson, 70, passed away on August 21, 2023 after a long, difficult battle with complications of pneumonia and COPD. He spent his final moments at home, surrounded by his loving wife and children.
Rob was born May 23, 1953 to Calvin Duane and Ruth Remy. He loved growing up in the 50’s, where he played outdoors all day with nothing more than a stick, a rope, and his never-ending imagination for entertainment. He graduated from Highland High in 1971, and married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Dykes, on June 1, 1973. Together with their two children they explored, hiked, camped, or backpacked whenever they could, often bringing friends along with them. Rob taught them to love and respect the land, and how to survive in the backcountry. He taught them about plants and how they could be used as medicine, and how the body worked. Through many science projects and life experiences, he taught them about physics, chemistry, mechanics, anatomy, philosophy, and so much more! He taught them to be adventurous, to be curious, and to question things.
Rob liked to figure out how things worked, often taking things that weren’t broken apart to see how they ran. He was able to fix everything from appliances, tv’s and clocks, to cars, motorcycles, plumbing, and electrical. If he thought the parts to fix something were too expensive or were no longer available, he would make one himself or find another way to make it work, which we teasingly called “Jacksonizing” it. He was the best handyman ever and was always ready to help where he could.
Rob had a deep love of all types of music, American history, Westerns, the outdoors, and his family. He always had a creative project going; a handmade copper coated dragonfly coin specially personized for his daughter, building the fastest go-cart for his young son, a beautiful violin for his granddaughter, his custom poker chips and deer antler hunting knives are just a few of the cherished creations he made for those he cared about. But his greatest accomplishment is the family cabin he built by hand with just a plan in his head and without the help of electricity or running water. It will forever be a place of sweet memories of times spent with him there, and his love of life.
Survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara; children Jennifer Jackson, Kenneth (Kerri), grandchildren Tyler (Madi) Brady, MaKenzi Jackson (fiancé DeSean Lorenzen), and Kole Jackson. Sisters Christie (Stuart) MacDonald, Sandy (Joe) Perez, and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends. Preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kathryn Jackson.
A special thanks to Hospice for Utah, especially Sara and Archie, who helped Rob the last four months of his life. They treated him with respect, dignity, and friendship, and he always looked forward to their visits.
Life well done, Rob … Well done.
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