John Dennis Jackson

John Dennis Jackson, 94, El Dorado, passed away Monday, November 18, 2024.  Visitation 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 21, 2024 at Headley Funeral Chapel and Service 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 22, 2024, at Trinity United Methodist Church, El Dorado. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta. John was born in Goodwater, Oklahoma on January 30, 1930, to the late Fannie Lee (Steadham) and Robert Lee Jackson. John, being the youngest of his family, was known as "Babe" or "Nuby" (the new baby) to his siblings and many of his nieces and nephews.

John graduated from Haworth High School, Haworth, OK and continued his education at Butler CC, Wichita State, etc. to advance his professional career. As a young man, John worked on the farm, with his father in the timber industry, spent a summer in Texas in cottonfields, and came to Wichita to begin work at Beech aircraft where he retired as a general foreman after 42 years. John served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

On August 31, 1956 he married his sweetheart, Wanda (Francis) and together raised two daughters, Tamara and Shirley. After 40 years of marriage, she preceded him in death in 1996. On October 16, 1999 he married Ruth (Cairns) Thompson Jackson who survives and they celebrated their 25th anniversary. John was a member of Mystic Tie Masonic Lodge and Wichita Consistory earning 50 year pins in each, Trinity United Methodist Church, and the American Legion Post 81.

John's greatest love was for his family and making them welcome by opening his home and offering his home cooked meals with his hot rolls. He had great pleasure in growing his garden, tending his orchard and sharing the produce, fishing trips and road trips with family and friends, and cheering the OU Sooners!

John is survived by:  wife, Ruth Jackson; daughters, Tamara Fleming of Deatsville, AL and Shirley Windholz and husband Wesley of Augusta; son, Thane Thompson and wife Chris Whittaker of Cincinnati, OH; grandchildren, Stefannie Randall (Justin), Ashley Fleming, Caleb Fleming (Melissa), Megan Gyetvai (John Paul), Michael Windholz, Marcus Windholz (Deanna), Mackenzie Windholz (Scott Ferris), Cactus Thompson, Karsyn Thompson; great grandchildren, Waverlee Randall, Jackson Randall, Emberlee Randall, Myles Fleming, Joska Gyetvai (Haley), Janos Gyetvai, Lukacz Gyetvai, Sabine Gyetvai, Clayton Windholz, Kamryn Windholz, Brynn Windholz, Charley Marie Windholz, Landon Carter, and Addyson Windholz.  He was preceded in death by brother, Charles Jackson; sisters, Ida Jenkins, Louise Keeney, and Clara Hill; son in law, Alfred Dewayne Fleming; and granddaughter, Grace Ann Windholz. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 430 Eunice El Dorado, KS 67042.