Benjamin Franklin Jackson

Benjamin F. Jackson, 83, died March 18, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Susan K. Jackson of Fort Collins; his children from his first wife, Daisy, Valerie R. Towns of Washington, DC, Kimberly A. Jackson of Fort Collins, Colorado, Joy S. Jackson of Salida, Colorado; two stepchildren, Craig M. Hibbard of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Jacy L. Hibbard of Castle Rock, Colorado; three sisters, four grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Besides his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his older brother and four of his seven sisters.

Ben was born March 20, 1933, the last of nine children in Asheville, North Carolina. His parents passed away before he was five years old. The nine children were allowed to remain together under the guardianship of their older brother, Roscoe, and all grew up in the Asheville area. In 1955, Ben graduated from Western Carolina University (WCU) in Cullowhee, North Carolina, where he earned a B.S. in Physical Education and Biology. He entered the U.S. Army following graduation, and served two years, stationed at S.H.A.P.E. Headquarters, Paris, France. Following his time in service, Ben returned to Asheville and completed his M.A. in Education and Biology at WCU. He taught biology and coached boys basketball and baseball for one year at Valley Springs High School in Arden, North Carolina.

In 1960, Ben accepted a position with the U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Branch, and served in U.S. diplomatic missions in seven foreign countries. He also served two tours of duty with the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., his last as Operations Officer of Communications for Diplomatic posts in the Near East and Southeast Asia Bureaus from 1981-1984. Ben retired from the Department of State in 1984 and moved to Fort Collins. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for several years. He served as a Deacon and Elder during that time and also sang in the church choir. Ben was a member of the Larimer Chorale from 1985-2005, and also the Chorale touring ensemble. Ben often expressed how fortunate he was to be able to sing works of the world’s greatest composers in this chorus.

Ben married Susan K. Hibbard on June 18, 1994, and felt blessed to not only have three great children, but also two wonderful stepchildren. He loved his whole family.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held Friday, March 24, at 1:30 pm, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1709 W. Elizabeth Street, Fort Collins, Colorado. A reception will follow.

Ben was cremated and his ashes will be scattered in the mountains at a later date, per his wishes.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Larimer Chorale, Fort Collins, Colorado, or Halcyon Hospice and Palliative Care, Mead, Colorado.

The family extends their gratitude to the staff of Brookdale and their memory care unit, and to Halcyon.