Troy Lee Jackson Sr.

Troy L. Jackson was born December 14, 1933 to Willis and Winnie (Glen) Jackson. It was a year that unemployment in the United States would reach its highest level with nearly 1 in 3 people out of work. Due to farm automation and poor farming practices, severe dust storms and extreme drought would strip away topsoil and result into what is known today as the dust bowl, only to be followed by the Great Depression. Dad would spend his childhood and early years helping his family recover from this economic failure. He picked cotton and done odd jobs through Kansas, Wagoner, Porter, and finally his present home place in Keys Oklahoma. He never really talked about it but he never complained about it either. We just remember the stories he’d tell of cowboy films that he and Charles would watch at Sunday matinees. I think his early favorite was William Boyd, or better known as Hopalong Cassidy. But his all time favorite was the 1953 western classic, Shane, a gun slinging hero from nowhere.

Interestingly enough, that is the year Dad made two major life decisions. First, he enlisted into the United States Air Force and second, married his first wife, Faye Pigeon. It was during a time when the cost of a new house was around $9500.00. The average wages per year was $4000.00. And the average cost of a new car was $1600.00. But the most interesting fact was that a gallon of gas cost a whopping .20 cents a gallon.

After returning from service in Okinawa, Dad would continue his education at Okmulgee Tech where he would first study mechanics and then auto body repair. The latter would soon become a practical way of making a living. He was a hard worker, spending many hours getting wrecked cars back on the road and never failing to provide for his family. He and Faye would share three sons and one daughter, two daughters-in- laws, and one son-in-law, Troy Lee and Carolyn Jackson of Tahlequah, Rocky Jackson of Keys, Kenny and Frankie Jackson of Keys, and Troy and Michelle Scoggins of Keys. They share eight grandchildren, Lee Jackson of Paige Arizona, Tracie Vance of Tahlequah, J.R. Jackson of Tahlequah, Dotty Moon of Norman, Trisha Thomas of Tahlequah, Billy Joe Mar of Tahlequah, Megan Scoggins of Oswego, Kansas, and Lane Scoggins of Bartlett, Kansas. They also have six great grandchildren, Brandon Jackson, Maelee Thomas, Bryson Jackson, Jackson Vance, Joshua Scoggins and Paisley Hodges.

Dad was a brother to Edith Cobb of Tahlequah, Donald Jackson (deceased), and Little Bobby Jackson (deceased). Not to mention an uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Later in life Dad would marry Ruth Glenn. Their marriage would mark a thirteen year relationship until her death in 2014. They were members of the Christian faith and attended Keys Faith Mission in Keys Oklahoma. Our Dad passed from this life at his home on Friday, December 26, 2014. He will be missed.