Jerald Jackson

Jerald E. Jackson, 94, of Decatur, IL, passed into eternal life at 9:24 p.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 21, 2016 at First Baptist Church, Decatur, IL. Friends may call from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, IL. Memorials may be made to Decatur Corps, of the Salvation Army, First Baptist Church, Decatur, or the Gov. Richard Oglesby Mansion, Decatur, IL.Jerald was born April 25, 1922 in St. Mary’s, IL, the son of Earl Lee and Nina Marie (Walters) Jackson. He married D. Miriam Schory on February 28, 1944 in Chicago, IL.Jerald graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later graduated from the University of Chicago Law School, J.D., Cum Laude, receiving the Order of the Coif while there. From 1950 to present, he was a partner in Samuels, Miller, Schroeder, Jackson & Sly law firm in Decatur. Jerald was a member of the Illinois Supreme Court committee of Pattern Jury Instructions and the Illinois Supreme Court committee of Character and Fitness.Jerald was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the Illinois Laureate Academy of the Illinois Bar Association. He was also a member of the Decatur Bar Association, where he served as past president in 1981.He was also a past president of Decatur Noon Lions Club, Life Member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, member of the Gov. Richard Oglesby Museum board, past president of the Decatur Club, a member of the Country Club of Decatur, and a faithful member of First Baptist Church, where he served on multiple committees. Although devoted to the practice of law, Jerald was also a die-hard Cubs fan, and enjoyed golf, bridge, and tennis. He also loved a dog named Chutney.He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1944-1946.Jerald is survived by his wife of 72 years, D. Miriam of Decatur; sons Mark (Ann) Jackson of Decatur, J. Christopher (LeAnne) Jackson of St. Charles, IL, Jeffrey W. (Cheryl) Jackson of Hudson, IL, James T. Jackson of Decatur; grandchildren Julia (John) Douglass, Paul E. Jackson, Laura (Erik) Van Kampen, Kristen Jackson, Karen Jackson, Gregory Jackson, Katherine Jackson, Alec Jackson, Marissa Jackson; great grandchild Lillian Douglass; and his nephew Gregory Foster. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.The family wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to the staff of Decatur Memorial Hospital Wound Clinic, for their many months of caring for Jerald during his illness. "
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