Paul Dodge Jackson, age 86 of Pine River died on Monday November 19th at his home. He was born March 25th 1932 to the late Claude and Helma Jackson in New Berlin Wisconsin. His family moved to Merrill in 1952. On September 29th 1957 he married Joanne (Joni) Raasch. She survives.
Paul worked at Merrill Manufacturing and Northern Wire; but his passions were his home, his family and his music. He played guitar and sang his entire life, and in the late sixties he and Joni formed the Jackson 2, a country western duo playing local venues which eventually became a full time career. In the early 70’s they added other family members to become “The Jackson Family Band” and continued to perform all over Wisconsin until the late nineties, garnering a Hodag State Band championship and an induction into the Central Wisconsin Music Hall of Fame. He and Joni owned a small organic farm north of Merrill raising goats, pigs, chickens and several cows. He practiced “sustainable living” long before it was fashionable.
Paul was a lover of family, farm and music-a builder, repairman, machinist, thinker and inventor; a gentle, fun loving passionate pacifist and admirer and protector of God’s creations. He believed in the simple life and courted his wife of 62 years with guitar and song. He enjoyed making people happy and in his later years enjoyed listening to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s laughter. He was a hardworking, talented and kindhearted man who provided his family with many adventures as well as unconditional love and support. His music, humor and playful spirit touched many lives, and he will be deeply missed.
Besides his wife and family at home, he had the finest care possible at our Ascension Hospital and Hospice. Special thanks to Kali and Tim.
Survivors in addition to his wife, are his sons Carl, John (Jean) Jackson, his daughters Jeni Smith and Julie (John) Moeck, He is further survived by his grandchildren Dagan Heckert, Amanda (Joe Heizler) Jackson, Valarie (Mike) Samuelson, Jackson (Dessa Thompson) Moeck, Cassandra (Michael) Starr, Neil Jackson, Kristle and Shawna Jackson; great grandchildren Austin, Allison, Jacob, Jeremiah and Aaron, a sister Gloria Lukens, a sister in law Joyce Jackson, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by brothers Claude, Robert, Alden, Lumen and sisters Marcella and Sylvia.
A memorial service will be held at Pine River town hall on Saturday April 27th at 1:00 PM, followed by a Celebration of Life.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is helping the family.