Paul Randolph Jackson

Paul Randolph Jackson, 98, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2016, in Twin Falls, Idaho. Paul was born April 12, 1918 in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, to Charles and Daisy Jackson. He was the third of four children. Paul graduated from Georges Township High School in 1936 where he was a champion tennis player. After the United States entered World War II in 1941, Paul joined the Army and went to Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he graduated as a 2nd Lt. He served in the Military Police, stationed in Iran.

After the war, he returned home and married Ruth Jones in 1946. They moved to California where he joined the Los Angeles Police Department. He became part of the Public Education section and was the “Freeway Voice of the LAPD.” He did radio announcements and appeared on television programs to discuss traffic safety for nearly every station in the area including KTLA and KFI. He won many National Safety Council Awards. During his years with the LAPD, he continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as Lt. Colonel and Commander of the 387th MP Battalion. He also taught adult traffic night school in the L.A. School District during that time. He attended USC and earned an A.A. degree.

When Paul retired from the LAPD after 23 years, he was appointed to the L.A. Superior Court where he served on the bench in the Juvenile Traffic Division for 27 years. He liked to say he had 100 years of public service with the combination of his concurrent and consecutive occupations.

Paul and Ruth lived in Pico Rivera, California, for 60 years, raising three children. Paul served a term on the school board and also was president of the local Kiwanis Club. He ran for U.S. Congress in 1982 and 1984.

Paul and Ruth and their children joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1964. He served in many leadership positions in his ward and in the Whittier California Stake.

In 2009, due to health problems, Paul and Ruth moved to Twin Falls to live with their daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Steve McKasson. They moved to an assisted living facility in 2011. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Heritage, Grace, and Chardonnay assisted living facilities and St. Luke’s Hospice.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, two brothers, one sister and two grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Carol (Steve) McKasson, Craig (Marcy) Jackson of Saratoga Springs, Utah and Dennis Jackson of Corona, Calif.; 14 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Esther Jackson, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be held on June 4, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the LDS Church, 680 Hankins Rd. North, Twin Falls. Visitation will be from 1:00-1:45 at the church. Internment will take place on June 11 at Memory Garden Memorial Park, Brea, California. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the LDS Church Missionary Fund, the Idaho Food Bank or the Salvation Army. Arrangements have been entrusted to White Mortuary “Chapel by the Park”. Condolences for the family may be left at www.whitemortuary.com.