James L. Jackson

James Leroy Jackson of Seattle, Washington was reunited with his heavenly family on Friday, March 7, 2014 after a valiant struggle with his health. He was surrounded by his loved ones.

Jim was born to Charles and Edith (Chatterton) Jackson on May 3, 1931, in Portland, Oregon. When he was one year old his family moved to the Ronald/Echo Lake neighborhood north of Seattle. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle in 1949 and received a B.Sc. from the College of Pharmacy at the University of Washington in 1953. He joined the U.S. Air Force and served for three years in Turkey, London and the Washington D.C. area. Jim returned to Seattle where he met, then married his best friend Oreen Selland (formerly of Bainbridge Island) on September 8, 1958.

In 1959 Jim opened Hillcrest Prescription Pharmacy on Seattle's First Hill where he stood behind his counter for 42 years, endeavoring to enrich the lives of his customers and colleagues, who knew him fondly as "Jimmie."

Jim lived his life with complete integrity, and exemplified in his actions Christ's love for others. He was a kind and loving husband and father, devoted to his family and church. Jim and his family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served the church faithfully and diligently in many capacities, including Bishop and Patriarch. He went out of his way to care for the widows and elderly in his congregation.

Jim loved classical music and opera, especially Puccini, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Wagner. The music touched him very deeply, and he shared that love with his family. He enjoyed working with his hands, and when he had time built furniture and watercraft.

In later years he spent many happy hours gardening and tending his yard. He appreciated the beauties of nature, and never passed beautiful flowers without taking notice.

Jim had a warm and mischievous sense of humor and loved to laugh. He took pleasure in visiting with others. He was humble, and quietly served the Lord and his fellow man without calling attention to himself.

Jim is survived by his sweet wife of 55 years, Oreen, son Matthew, daughter Kim, daughter Kristie (Allan) Garber, and four grandchildren Micaela, Christian, Jacob and Daniel.

"Well done thou good and faithful servant . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:21