Roy Jackson

Roy Lawrence Jackson, 93, of Evanston, IL and formerly of Decatur, died Sunday May 6th in the Presbyterian Home. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 11, at Mt. Gilead Cemetery, Decatur. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home, Decatur. Memorials may be made to Homeward Bound. Roy was a kind man and generous spirit who never met a stranger. He was born in Jasper County, IL, the youngest of ten children. His mother died when he was an infant and he was raised by his sister and brother-in-law, Jessie and Alfred Slack. He was forever grateful to them. A chance encounter with Kelso Fortner, founder of Kelly's Potato Chips, allowed him to use his intelligence, charm, conscientious nature, and entrepreneurial spirit to build a successful business. He later sold Buicks for his best buddy, KC Summers, and for Highfield Buick and Koester Buick. After retirement, he returned to his farmer roots, growing delicious fruits and vegetables and caring for his beloved Akitas. He also loved hanging out with his Greenridge Drive cronies, Schroll, John, and Bobby, and missed them terribly after moving away. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, the love of his life, Myrtle, his daughter, Lori, and by his pride-and-joy Sugar. We are all proud he was our "Daddy" and we continue to benefit from his wisdom and grace. Myrt and Lori would like to express our gratitude to Drs. Ken Scribner, Paula Harvan, and Dave Kuo. We are grateful also to the late Dr. Ronald Meng. The staff and caregivers at St. Francis Hospital, SASI and the Presbyterian Home were wonderful. Finally, we would like to thank Demetria Stringer who helped fill his last year with warmth and humor as she cared for "The Boss". "
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