Rick Jackson

On Wednesday, December 29, 2021, Rick Jackson joined the saints in heaven. Rick was born in 1967 to Richard and Dianne Jackson. Rick’s family and friends meant the world to him and were the things he lived for. He loved Denise Rowe with all his heart. Raising his son Matt Jackson, his daughter Anna Jackson, as well as Alyson Rowe, Ian Rowe, and Alec Rowe together with her, and having three beautiful grandchildren was the most cherished part of his life.

Rick loved helping others. As a parent, partner, friend, teacher, and coach, Rick was all-in. He was a devoted youth baseball and softball coach, teaching his players “READY”, meaning being ready on the field, but also ready for life as well. In his professional life, he chose professions that inspired and helped others. As a Financial Planner, he didn’t have clients as much as he had friends. He loved sharing experiences with the people he loved.

Some of his fondest memories were going to the theater, scuba diving, trips to baseball games together, especially the Cubs, and family vacations in Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Europe. As much as he loved cruises, Disney, Las Vegas, and every cultural endeavor he got to experience, he felt just as filled with life getting to be on any golf course, even the ones minutes from his home. He found joy in everything and leaves that mark on our hearts forever.

Jesus, when speaking of children teaches us that ”their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10) This is a lesson Rick did not need to be taught; he lived his life with the joy, wonder, and enthusiasm children embrace. Whenever he wished someone “Happy Birthday!” it was in the same tone as Frosty the Snowman when he came to life. Even as an adult, he loved the holidays, the Christmas tree, the decorations, the lights, the presents, and the joy of being with friends and family.

Rick’s favorite TV show was Cheers, and he would sing along to the theme song “Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got. … Sometimes you want to go where people know, people are all the same. And they’re always glad you came. .. You wanna go where everyone knows your name.” Rick gave it everything, and we will always be glad he came into our lives. He never said “I love you” at the end of a phone call because it felt more like a goodbye. We don’t want to say “goodbye” to you either Rick, but we do love you.

A small family service will be held later this week, followed by a celebration of life with friends and family in a few weeks.