Charles William Jackson Obit

CHARLES WILLIAM JACKSON, 81, formerly of Brainerd, passed away to be with Jesus on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 at Grand Arbor Assisted Living in Alexandria. Jackson was born on Feb. 25, 1943 in Hibbing. They lived in Kerr Location (a mining community two miles out of Hibbing) for 10 years and then they moved into Hibbing for two years.  When he was in 7th grade the family moved to Crosby and he graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1961. He was working at a shoe repair shop in Crosby between his junior and senior year. In between his junior and senior year of high school he also went into the National Guards.  He left for basic training a day after graduation.  He was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood for Basic Training.  Then he went to Fort Knox, KY, for armor tank training.  He attended Brainerd Junior College for two quarters when he got back.  Then he worked at GrandView Lodge washing dishes and then he transferred to Desert Willow Ranch in Arizona. He came back to GrandView and he was doing Grounds Maintenance, cleaning the grounds and expanding the golf course. From 1963 to 1965 he went to Staples Vocational School for two years to become a machinist. He worked at a hardware store in Staples. He was married to Dianne Morgan Dec. 5, 1965.  In the spring of 1965 they moved to St. Louis Park and he started at Lowell Inc.  He was their first employee. He work at Rutter Inc., Lake Engineering, World Tool and Engineering, FMC twice, Raleigh Industries, Industrial Metal Products and Burlington Northern in Brainerd.  He retired after 32 years at Burlington Northern on March 3, 2003.  He worked 12 years as a machinist and 20 years as a mechanic. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ and wanted others to know Jesus. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and playing racquetball. He hunted pheasants in North Dakota, ducks and geese in Canada, elk in Idaho and turkey in Detroit Lakes.  In Alaska, he fished salmon and halibut with Captain Todd, his son, in which he got a 200-pound halibut. He played racquetball for 35 years. They wintered in Casa Grande, AZ for four winters. They camped and traveled to most of the 50 states.  He enjoyed singing along when his daughter played the piano. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren in sports and activities.  He enjoyed his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends. He is survived by his wife Dianne residing in Alexandria (formerly of Brainerd), his daughter, Trina (Jeff) Poster of Alexandria and Todd (Jennifer) Jackson of Detroit Lakes.  Grandchildren Dallas (Holea) Charles, Samantha (Griffin) Runge, and Levi Charles of Alexandria and Kayley (Tanner) Vigesaa of Gilbert, AZ, Parker Jackson of Maui, HI, Payton (Ashley) Jackson of Detroit Lakes and Cade Jackson of Detroit Lakes. Great grandchildren Abel and Myla Charles and Elana Runge.  He is also survived by his sister Betty Mathson of Coon Rapids and many nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Earl Robert Jackson and Ruth Elizabeth (Roberts) Jackson, his brother David R. Jackson and sister-in-law Marlene (Gallant) Jackson, brother-in-law, Richard (Dick) Mathson, and grandson Cody William Charles. Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 14 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour before at 10 a.m. Visitation will be at Brenny Funeral Home Thursday, Feb. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. Burial will be at South Long Lake Hillside Cemetery, south of Brainerd. Lunch will follow the service. Arrangements are with the Brenny Funeral Home in Baxter.