Harold C. Jackson Jr.

Harold and Charles attended Catholic School as non-catholic students. His family moved to Los Angeles and he attended George Washington Carver Junior High School and Thomas Jefferson High School. He was a high achiever in his studies and an active participant in Science studies. He loved sports --- greatly enthusiastic about being a shot putter and playing football. His popularity led him to become the Director of Athletics for the Student Body at Jefferson High School. He loved participating in activities and was respected by his peers and faculty.

Upon graduation from high school he attended East Los Angeles Junior College, where he continued to study and be active in collegiate activities. His friends included students from various cultural backgrounds. Harold pursued his studies diligently with a Science major and a Photography minor. On many weekends he actively pursued the study of Photography --- convincing his professors that weekend assignments included photographing many weddings and social events ---- with their equipment.

It was during this period of his life that he met and married Clora Ellis. From this union four children were born: Sheriel, Lauren, Adrienne and Duaine. Harold was a hands-on Dad. He loved his children and they were exuberant as he; full of love and joy, enjoying his companionship on a daily basis.

Harold was employed by the city of Los Angeles in the Department of Water and Power as a meter reader. It was during his employment there when his search for the appropriate religious environment for his children led him to seek a Faith that would include diversity that he could respect, for he had many questions about the validity of the messengers sent by God. He visited many religious churches with his family, always questioning the ministers and leaders. It was during this phase that he found the Baha’i Faith, a new religion that includes the tenets:

 The oneness of mankind

 The oneness of religion

 The equality of men and women

 The emphasis of educating of children --- that if a decision is needed to be made on which of your children should be educated, the female should be educated since she is the first teacher of children.

There were so many areas of agreement in thought that Harold began to search the Holy Books of old and became quickened by the love of God. He met outstanding leaders and friends as he pursued his studies of Religion.

In April 1964, he and Clora became members of the Baha’i Faith. As Harold acquired knowledge he began to speak on the Faith. Traveling and speaking weekly, he broadened his knowledge and met many friends: college students as well as the elderly sought his wisdom and companionship as they eagerly listened to him speak. He was quickly voted on to become one of the youngest members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles. It was during that time when he met the Honorable Judge Dorothy Nelson who was the Dean of the Law School at the University of Southern California. Dorothy invited Harold to become a student at USC. Overwhelmed with joy by the invitation, Harold eagerly accepted her invitation and returned to his college studies, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Upon graduation he entered the Master’s program and earned his degree and became an Educator. He loved teaching and the children loved him. His gift as an educator was undeniable.

During his teaching of elementary school in Pasadena he lost his second daughter, Lauren, to a tragic accident that changed his direction. Following this event, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States invited him to assist them in opening of a new Baha’i school in Hemingway, South Carolina, appointing him the Director of the Institute! Harold thought what an awesome assignment but that he would only consider it if he could take his family with him. This move would alter the present path for he was grievous over the loss of his daughter Lauren who was so much like him --- a leader in her own right --- Student Body President at Henry Clay Jr. High and Junior Class President at Gardena High School. Now, his oldest daughter Sheriel after completing her second year of college studies was proposed to and married in a lovely Baha’i ceremony officiated by his devoted Baha’i brother, Mohi Sobhani.

Harold accepted the National’s invitation and he, Clora and their two youngest children, Adrienne and Duaine traveled across country in his new motor home to a completely different way of life. He successfully opened the Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute and directed activities there for a year.

Upon returning to Gardena, California, Harold was approached to lead the Sugar Ray Robinson Youth Foundation where he was appointed the Director. While serving in this position he moved his family from old memories to the Huntington Beach community where he was soon appointed to a Principalship of a two-site school. From there, Harold was employed as school counselor in Adult schools while actively serving on the Huntington Beach Baha’i Assemblies for many years --- always helping children, youth and adults --- tutoring individuals and small groups were amongst his greatest joys.

Harold’s interests included:

 Gardening: he loved to see plants grow --- he loved to watch changes in the plants and flowers and to arrange his garden;

 Friendships: he maintained an interest in his love of friends of old, actively pursuing friendships with members of the Eastside Boys Club of Los Angeles;

 USC Trojans: Fight On - particularly Trojan Football where his son Duaine played while earning his degree and where his daughter Adrienne earned her Doctorate degree;

 Jazz Music: he was a great Jazz music historian educating young and old, interested or not, about the jazz greats. One of his greatest joys was learning that one of his favorite musicians, Dizzy Gillespie, became a Baha’i; his soul was joyful as he spoke directly with Dizzy.

Harold retired from public education with the Westminster school district in 1999 but continued to tutor for Newport-Mesa school district until his health began to wane. Harold was a member of the California Retired Teachers Association,

Harbor Division, where he remained active until his demise.

On Thursday, March 29, 2012, at approximately 10:30PM, Harold ascended to the Abha Kingdom leaving to mourn his wife, two daughters and son; Grandchildren Vincent, Lauren, Kennedy and Taylor; Great Grandchildren twins Aaliyah and Neryah and Kenji Atuatasi; a daughter-in-law Dena, a son-in-law Kenneth Wright; his brother’s children: Angela and twins Charrise and Charles Jr. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 2, 2012 with a graveside service immediately following at Pacific View Memorial Park & Mortuary.