Dennis Jackson

Dennis was born to D.L. and Mattie Belle Jackson in September of 1932 and raised in Hope Mills. After serving four years in the United States Air Force, he attended North Carolina State University where he completed his undergraduate studies in two years and was recruited by The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. While serving in the air force, stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, LA, he met and married Helen Young, his wife of 71 years. Together they had four children and helped raise numerous other children that came and went throughout the years. After completing his studies, he returned home to Hope Mills where he opened his first veterinary practice on Owen Dr. in Fayetteville know as Circle "J" Animal Hospital. The practice would go on to become Central Animal Hospital. Dr. Jackson practiced large animal, small animal, and exotic medicine throughout his career. He spent many after hours servicing the counties dairy farms in the early years of his practice as well as horse, cattle, and hog production farms. He welcomed young people into his office to learn and mentored a number of aspiring veterinarians and vet techs over the course of his practice. Rather than completely retire, he spent time in Wilmington, NC where he established a brand new "retirement" practice known as Port City Animal Hospital. He practiced medicine there until the age of 77 when he fully retired and returned to his home in Hope Mills.

In retirement he took great pleasure in being on his farm, land that had belonged to his grandfather, where he spent much of his time as a young boy. A place he affectionately referred to as "The Ponderosa". He loved his weekly golf games with friends and enjoyed time spent with his family. He found great joy in being outside and grew large gardens of vegetables and fruits over the years as well as raising Arabian horses and catfish in his pond. He was a lifelong member of Hope Mills Methodist Church where he enjoyed his weekly Sunday School classes.

Over the years Dennis was generous with his time and served as the president of the North Carolina Academy of Small Animal Medicine, Chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Health, Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Health, Master of the Masonic Lodge, Charter member of the Exchange Club of Greater Fayetteville, two time president of Highland Country Club Board of Directors, and was a member of the Lambda chapter of the Alpha Psi Fraternity. For 10 years he served as the Secretary of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board. During his tenure, he administered the licencing examination to 100's of veterinary graduates that went on to practice in North Carolina.

Dennis was deeply loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed. His quiet generosity touched the lives of many people over the course of his life. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen Y. Jackson, his brother Franklin Jackson, sister Ruth Dalton, sister Shirley Blake, son, Dennis L. Jackson, Jr. He is survived by his daughters Elsha J. Cromer (Al), Lee J. Ammons-Prewitt (Tom), and Jessica J. Gilmore. Siblings Brenda May and Dr. Michael Jackson. He was the beloved "PaPa" of 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren.

His family would like to thank his care team of the last two years for the love and kindness shown to him, as well as the entire staff at Gentiva Hospice of Lumberton.

Visitation will be held at Hope Mills Methodist Church Friday, July17th at 10:30am to be immediately followed by a memorial service at 11:30. Burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford or memorial donations may be made in his name to Hope Mills Methodist Church.