Joseph O. Jackson

Joseph O. Jackson, 69, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2023. Born on April 27, 1953, in Ironton, Missouri, and was a son of the late Joseph and Dorothy (Dement) Jackson. He is survived by his wife, Gina R. Jackson; daughter, Kathryn Reed; sons, Joseph (Jessica) Jackson, , Ryan (Brooke) Hamrick, and Jonathon Jackson; grandchildren, Jackson Reed, Benton Hamrick and Li Hamrick; siblings, Charles Richard (Dickie) Jackson, Jean (Don) Hermann, Elaine (Alan) Emert, and Paul (Pam) Jackson. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lindsay R. Jackson, and siblings Dale Jackson, Joanna Gratton, and Mark Jackson. Joe spent his early life in Ironton, MO, growing up and living the many spirited stories with which he would later regale his family and friends. He graduated from Arcadia Valley High School with the class of ’71, and attended Mineral Area College in nearby Park Hills. Joe moved to Fesus, MO in 1981 to take a job in St. Louis as the Purchasing Manager of Corrigan Company Mechanical Contractors. Joe moved to Fort Wayne, IN in 1988 to accept a position at Shambaugh & Son, L.P. and eventually worked for the parent company-EMCOR Group as VP of National Purchasing. He would not only work tirelessly for the next 35 years, but also build countless life-long friendships with those who worked alongside him. In 2019 Joe transitioned away from full-time at Shambaugh and consulted on special projects. He remained grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the growth and expansion he had experienced at Shambaugh over the years. Joe may have left the St. Louis area, but it sure never left him. He remained an avid fan of Cardinals baseball, Blues hockey, and Mizzou basketball, knowing each and every time one of their games might happen to be on TV locally, and even occasionally catching the fuzzy but fair-enough game broadcasts from the St. Louis AM radio station, when the wind would blow just right to put him in their coverage area—something to break up the otherwise steady stream of country tunes he loved so much. If no games were on the radio or TV, you’d probably find a good old western on. Joe’s excitement over his sports teams was perhaps matched only by his enthusiasm for cars—Mustangs, specifically, but he was a Ford guy all the way. He especially loved all things Shelby, but could tell you anything you could ever want to know about most any car. A boy from very modest means, Joe took immense pride in simple things like maintaining a pristine lawn and landscaping, and keeping his home in great shape, and found such joy in doing it all himself so things would be just right. He could be very particular and even stubborn about the things he cared most about, but that absolutely carried over to the people in his life. He was a fighter all his life, and tough when he needed to be, but that’s just one of many reasons why there isn’t anyone you’d want in your corner more than Joe. Joe attended Grabill Missionary Church and was a member of Bible Study Fellowship. Funeral service will be 10:00 am, Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Grabill Missionary Church, 13637 State Street, Grabill, with calling one hour prior. Calling will also be held from 4 to 8pm, Friday, April 21, at the church. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Auburn. D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne. Memorial donations may be given to Grabill Missionary Church or Bible Study Fellowship. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Jackson family at www.mccombandsons.com