Russell N. Ltc Jackson

Russell N. Jackson, Lt Col, USAF Retired

30 September 1931-15 January 2011

Lt Colonel Russell Jackson went to be with his Lord and beloved wife Ethel on Saturday, January 15th, 2011. Russ was born on September 30, 1931, to Alva and Grace Jackson in Vernon, New York. Although words cannot adequately describe the sense of loss felt by his family with his passing, we take solace in knowing that the love, wisdom, and kindness he conveyed to us through his actions and deeds are indelibly etched in our hearts and souls.

Russ grew up on a farm in upstate New York, and in the aftermath of the great depression embraced a value system anchored by the principles of hard work and sacrifice. Following graduation from High School in 1949, Russ voluntarily enlisted in the United States Air Force, thus beginning 38 years of dedicated service to this nation. Upon graduation from basic training, Russ was assigned to Andrews AFB, Maryland, as a Security Policeman. Shortly thereafter, he met a young lady named Ethel, who became his loving wife and life partner for the next 60 years. His superior performance in the Security Police cadre resulted in his selection as a member of the elite USAF Honor Guard, where he served for approximately one year before reassignment to Shepard's Grove, England. During this tour, Russ spent countless hours guarding F-84 and F-86 aircraft equipped with first-generation tactical nuclear weapons. His passion for aviation, coupled with encouragement from superiors based on exceptional performance, resulted in his selection to attend Officer Candidate School in 1959. By now, the Jackson family had grown to include two daughters, Karen and Kathi.

In 1960, Russ realized his dream of becoming a military aviator. Following completion of Undergraduate Navigator Training at Harlingen, Texas, he was selected to attend Electronic Warfare Officer School. His career as an aviator included assignments in the KC-135 and B-52, culminating in his selection as initial cadre for the F-4 Wild Weasel program at Hahn AFB, Germany. Russ excelled as an F-4 EWO, virtually dominating the squadron and wing top-gun competitions, resulting in his assignment as the Executive Officer of the 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron. The Jackson clan, which by now had grown to five children with the additions of Susie, Lori, and Sean, readily adapted to life overseas. In spite of the enormous pressures associated with fighter squadron operations during the peak of the Cold War, Russ spent virtually all of his free time touring Western Europe with Ethel and their five children in the family VW mini-bus. The culmination of this assignment was Russ's selection to attend Air Command and Staff College ACSC, where in addition to tending to his family and coping with the demands of ACSC, he completed a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science.

Following graduation from ACSC, Russ was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and was competitively selected to attend the prestigious Postgraduate Defense Intelligence School. From here, he was assigned as an action officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency, where he quickly became the acknowledged expert on the entire West Europe Air Order of Battle. In this capacity, he routinely briefed Congress, the Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Although Russ had completed a remote assignment in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, he was reassigned to a second remote tour in Seoul, South Korea, as the 314th Air Division Director of Operations. In this capacity, he was responsible for coordination between all US and Republic of Korea forces to accomplish joint/combined planning required for operational readiness. As was typical of Russ, he embraced the assignment, and brought his family with him in unaccompanied status. Again, his work ethic paid dividends, as he was afforded the opportunity to extend for an additional year with accompanied status for his family. In 1981, Russ was assigned to Tactical Air Command Headquarters, Langley AFB, Virginia, where he served for three years as the Chief of the Threat Systems Division. He then returned to the Republic of Korea with Ethel for another remote assignment, during which time he completed a Masters Degree in Education. Russ concluded his USAF career as the Chief of the Command Post at Holloman AFB, New Mexico.

Upon retirement from the USAF, Russ and Ethel relocated to Maryland, and Russ began another full career serving his country as a contractor for the National Intelligence Community. In 2005, following his second retirement, he and Ethel embarked on a round the world cruise, and shortly thereafter moved to San Antonio to be near family.

Russ is survived by his daughters Karen Jackson, Kathi Bob Mayrides, Susie Mike Winslow, Lori Merrill Fink; his son Sean Yvette Jackson; grandchildren Chris, Bryan Karen, Lauren, Stacey Zach, Kelsey and Connor; sibling Lois Jackson, granddogs Abby, Cocoa, and Lucy, and grandcat Nate. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, and granddogs Bud, Ginger, Mandy, Molly, Jazzy, and Daisy.

Russ was a remarkable person, whose warrior spirit and benevolent heart touched us all. We take comfort in knowing that his final flight was on the wings of angels, and he has now touched the face of God. May he rest in peace.

Service:

Date: Monday, 24 January, 2011

Location: Porter Loring North Chapel, 2102 North Loop 1604 East.

Visitation: 1100AM

Service: 1130AM

Interment: With Full Military Honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery 1:00 PM