James Steven Jackson

After a long battle with a rare and debilitating medical condition, James Steven Jackson passed away at the age of 67, on July 21, 2025 at Baptist Beaches Hospital. Steve was a devoted and loving husband to Kathryn Puckett Jackson for 45 years.

Born on January 9, 1957 in Thomasville, Georgia, he was the second and last child born to James Cleveland Jackson and Sara Joyce Griner Jackson. While their life was full with their daughter Julie, they wanted to try for a second child and their hope to have a son was fulfilled.

Steve was very active in sports throughout his life beginning with Little League baseball. That was when he learned from his father that if you started something, you should never give up.

While attending Taylor County High School, he was active in football and baseball. Upon graduation, he was offered a full scholarship to play tennis at North Florida Junior college. He then attended Florida State University where he received a degree in both Finance and Accounting.

After college, he was accepted into the Management Training Program with US Home Corporation in the Tampa Bay area. He then moved with his wife to Jacksonville and went to work with Stokes and Company where they eventually offered him the opportunity to start the custom home division.

He was an avid duck and turkey hunter and enjoyed all types of freshwater and saltwater fishing. He spent many hours on the surrounding lakes, intercoastal waterway, the Gulf, and the Atlantic.

He was generous with his time as a General Contractor. He was honored to serve as a volunteer on the major renovation and beautification of the Historic Kings Road Park, and to facilitate the restoration of the First United Methodist Church in Perry, Florida.

Steve was a uniquely personal participant in the on-going research regarding his rare medical condition.

He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Julie Hanson, and her husband John Hanson; his nephew Heath Annin and wife Gay Annin and their son Cole Annin; brother-in-law Tom Puckett and his wife Laura Puckett and their children Brandon Puckett, Natalie

Puckett and Blake Puckett; brother-in-law John Puckett and his wife Sandy Veagas Puckett and John’s children Sarah Puckett and Madison Puckett; his niece Kate Bourdria and her husband George and their children James, George and Grace.

Steve will be remembered for his kindness, his courage, his wit, but most of all, as the loving husband to his wife for 45 years. He will be deeply missed by all who came to know him.

A memorial service for Steve will be held at 11:00, September 27, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Perry, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to their favorite charity