Robert Leon Jackson

Born June 30th, 1930 in Putnamville he was the son of Elijah Jacob and Opal Leona (Anderson) Jackson and until the last year and a half was a lifelong resident of Greencastle. Bob worked alongside his beloved wife Marilyn Jean (Twomey) at the Jackson’s Double Decker, the Campus Double, and Triple J restaurants as well as Jackson Brothers Real Estate and Jackson Farms, all local businesses which they co-owned and operated with his brothers and their spouses.

He graduated from Greencastle High School and served in the United States Airforce. He was a member of the Putnamville United Methodist Church, VFW, Moose Lodge, Life Member of the American Legion, and Life Member BPOE. During his life he was elected to the Greencastle City Council, served as a board member for the Putnam County Senior Center, and was a charter member of the GHS Alumni Association.

Bob was an Air Force veteran who held a lifelong pride in his country; his sacrifice and dedication during his military service fostered a continuing commitment to and passion for community service in his beloved Greencastle. He served in local politics, was involved with the local senior center as well as meals on wheels, flipping burgers for the Legion at the fair, and any other volunteer opportunities that Marilyn, his beloved wife, could find for them once they retired. He loved and respected the community he lived in and was thankful for the privilege to give back, whether through mentorship or philanthropic endeavors, especially in his later years.

Bob met his life, business, and dance partner Marilyn in high school, began their journey together first as friends and later as soul mates, balancing family life together as parents to two daughters and as co-owners of multiple family-run businesses. He was a loyal, generous, and hard worker with an entrepreneurial spirit; these were the traits that he shared with his two brothers and led them all to have their successful careers in the restaurant and realty business together.

His voice could always be heard loud and clear at any sing-a-long or local event. But he was a sensitive guy with a soft heart who kept his sense of humor to the end. He always believed you should “stop and take time to smell the roses” and enjoy time with the people you loved. He was the same person in private that he was in public. His faith was quiet in words but loud in actions, leaving behind a lasting legacy of kindness, integrity, and generosity to his family and community. He cherished his family above all else and was a loyal and loving husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend to many. And a stranger to no one.

And where ever he went and whatever he did, whether it was a night dancing at the Elks or a winter vacationing in Fort Myers, Florida, Bob and Marilyn were always side by side. Hand in hand, they truly danced through life’s challenges and triumphs. Their relationship truly embodied the quote: “Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.” Even during our deepest sorrow, we find comfort in knowing that Bob and Marilyn are finally together again.

He is survived by his daughters Lynn (Richard Brooks) Jackson, Fort Myers, Florida and Lana Jackson, Argyle, Texas; granddaughters Courtney Brooks, Boston, Massachusetts and Kiersten (Samuel) Strong, Argyle, Texas; great-grandchildren Olivia and Owen Strong; sisters-in-law Barbara Jackson and Luella Jackson, both of Greencastle, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his brothers William (Bill) and Richard (Tink) Jackson.

Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements, and at this time no funeral or memorial service is immediately planned. A shared service to honor the lives of both Bob and Marilyn is currently set for early summer 2026 in Greencastle. We will update with the arrangements when they are finalized so that family and friends who wish to can plan to attend. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Bob to the Marlene Bitzer Memorial Scholarship Fund, to the Senior Center of Putnam County, or the Humane Society of Putnam County.

It is the family’s request that you share your stories of both Bob and Marilyn in an email to [email protected] to keep their memories alive for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.