Joel Richard Jackson

Dateline: Monroe, NC Joel Richard Jackson May 30, 1939 - September 16, 2012 Joel Richard Jackson passed away peacefully the evening of Sept. 16, 2012, at home with his family. Born to Henry Richard and Rose Spiegel Jackson in Wausau, WI, on May 30, 1939, Joel was the youngest of four children, Mary Jackson Rush, David Jackson and twin-sister Annah Ruth Jackson (dec. 2007). Joel’s wife of 38-years, Betty Karin Rhyne Jackson, and two daughters, Jennifer Rose Jackson-Luth and Emily Marie Jackson, of Chicago, were with him when he joined his Lord in Heaven after a 21-month fight with lung cancer. He is also survived by his son-in-law David Luth and grandson Owen Thomas Luth and his nephew and niece, Bill and Julia Jackson. After high school, Joel attended Spencerian College in Milwaukee, WI. He later moved to Lexington, KY, where he met Betty Rhyne on a blind date. They married on September 14, 1974. Joel began a long career in sales with Ford/New Holland in Lexington and took promotions that moved the family to Newton, N.C. (1986) and Greenville, S.C. (1989). While in Lexington, Newton and Greenville, Joel was an active member of Gethsemane Lutheran, Beth Eden Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran churches respectively. In 2000, Joel joined Tidewater Equipment, moving to Monroe, N.C. where he and Betty joined St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. He was active in real estate before retiring in 2010. Joel’s family and everyone whose life he touched will remember him as a dedicated, remarkable father and a loyal, giving friend. The Jackson family will receive visitors at Gordon Funeral Service (1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe, N.C. 28112) on Thurs, Sept. 20, 2012, from 1-3 PM. A service and meal follows at 5 PM at St. Luke’s Lutheran (909 Circle Drive, Monroe, NC 28112). Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s in Monroe and to the blessed team at the Levine Cancer Institute at Carolinas Medical Center – Union. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Published online on September 18, 2012 courtesy of Gordon Funeral Service, Inc. .