Michael Anthony Jackson

To Michael Anthony Jackson, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Michael, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Michael really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Michael was born on July 31, 1958 at University Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His parents were Emmett Jackson Jr. and Camille Jean Crawford. Michael was raised in Gause and Hearn Texas and also in Los Angeles, California. Even as a child, Michael had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. He was a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

Always a good playmate, Michael was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Michael managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Michael was raised with one sibling. He had one brother, Phelton Jackson.

All of Michael's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Michael experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in football and track and field. In his spare time he loved playing sports.

It could be said that for Michael, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Michael simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Michael graduated from Gardena High School in 1976. He enjoyed some courses more than others. His favorite classes in high school were Physical Education and Math. In addition, his classmates will remember him as a talented football player and being in Future Famers of America.

Michael enjoyed in his college years. He was viewed by many of his classmates as being a creative, artistic and athletic person. Michael was usually found at the center of things, whether it was during class or in extracurricular activities. He was a jovial person who loved to share his passion for fun with others. Michael attended Sana Monica College and San Francisco State University. His favorite class was Math. Michael's other interests in college was sports. His greatest achievement was being an All American Football Player, NCAA Division.

Michael never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Michael to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. His best friends were Joseph Johnston, Gregory Gipson, Kool Ray Wilson, Tyrone Jenkins, and Danny Grant (Deceased). Michael loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Michael very easy to approach. On February 14, 2006 Michael exchanged wedding vows with Aesa Ilia Pagtalunan at Heavenly Bliss Chapel of Las Vegas, Nevada. Aesa was the love of his life and they shared a special bond that few could know or understand. He was always sensitive to her feelings, and that was especially true throughout their marriage.

Michael was blessed with four daughters, Monique Branch, Monica Branch, Marita Jackson, and Michael Dakota Jackson. He was also blessed with two grandchildren, LaRon Evans and Amere Turner. Michael had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed.

At work, as in life, Michael was a real “people person" and his energy was often contagious. Michael's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Michael as an excellent leader. His primary occupation was as a school bus driver for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada. Earlier in life, he was a Parts Finisher for Boeing Aircraft and a Merchant Sea Man. He was employed for five years as a School Bus Driver.

Michael enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. As a creative type, Michael liked creating and making things. He was especially talented in drawing and in calligraphy. His favorite hobbies were watching sports, fishing, swimming, and gambling. Michael was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

A generous person who often wore his heart on his sleeve, Michael often found himself involved in activities he deemed important. He was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made him a natural volunteer. Politically, Michael was a Democrat.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Michael recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He attended the First African Methodist Episcopal church. He would go to church with his mother.

It is no surprise that Michael loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. Favorite vacations included traveling the Unites States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Spain, Italy, Barbados, St. Martin, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. John, the Dominican Republic, Thai Land, Japan, Canada, Monaco, France, and the Philippines.

Michael believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. That day finally arrived in 2015. His new life involved living in Las Vegas, Nevada. In retirement, he found new pleasure vacationing by traveling the world. Even in retirement, Michael continued to stay in touch with his old friends and, since he'd never met a stranger, he made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

Michael passed away on June 9, 2018 at home in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is survived by his wife, Aesa, children, Monique, Monica, Marita, and Michael Dakota, and his grandchildren, LaRon and Amere. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michael was laid to rest in Palm Northwest Cemetery in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Michael brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his family and friends. Michael Anthony Jackson lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.