Frank William Jackson

Born November 6th, 1939, in Chicago Illinois, Frank William Jackson passed away on June 25th, 2025 at the age of 85 in Ocala Florida.

He was the second oldest of five children born to Arthur William Jackson, and Alma Elizabeth (Peretti) Jackson. He married his high school sweetheart, Ellen Joyce (Degani) Jackson in September of 1960 in Chicago and raised five children. A contractor by trade, he loved to build anything and everything where wood was involved. He moved to Koontz Lake Indiana in the 1970 where he continued running his own construction and remodeling company, and they also opened a restaurant “The Pizza Place”, bringing Chicago pizza to northern Indiana.

He moved the family to Florida in 1980 where while continuing his trade in construction, his long-time love of American Flyer model trains turned into a business and he owned Frank’s Trains & Hobbies in Oldsmar, Florida for more than 25 years. Frank was also very athletic and enjoyed playing softball, bowling, handball and could always be found outside playing basketball with his kids. After retiring from construction and closing the train store they bought an RV and traveled the country for many years before settling down in Lecanto, Florida. Frank always had a model train layout in his home including the RV and could be found working on or redesigning his train layout.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his son Joe, his sister Lois, and brother Al. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ellen, brother Art, sister Diane and children Debbie Barry (Bob), Mark Jackson (Teri), Tammi McKee (Rich), Suzy Jackson, niece Tracy Hitchings (Scott) and numerous nieces and nephews and his grandchildren Crystal Farnsworth (Adam), Stephen Jackson (Krista), Austin Barry, Kyle Barry (Anna Williams), Rileigh McKee, Griffin McKee (Briana) and five great grandchildren and his beloved doggies Allie & Charlotte.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home from 1 – 3pm on Sunday July 13th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite animal shelter.