Virgil C. "Curly" Jackson's Obituary
Obituary
HIRAM TOWNSHIP
Virgil C. Jackson of Hiram Township passed away September 2, 2022 at home with his loving family, following a brief bout with cancer and a lengthy battle with dementia. ‘Buck’ (as he was called in childhood) was born on a farm in Wolf Creek, WV on August 26, 1937 to parents William C. and Zula V. (Wilson) Jackson. He graduated from Union High School in 1955, where he was voted ‘Class Clown’, and soon after moved to Akron, Ohio in search of employment. In Akron, Virgil made two monumental decisions that would shape the rest of his life: accepting employment at Ford Motor Company’s Walton Hills Stamping Plant, where he would remain for 50 ½ years (the majority of which as mechanic in the Truck Repair Department) and dating the woman who became the love of his life, the mother of his children, and his wife of 63 years, Mildred M. (Barrett) Jackson. ‘Curly’ (as he was known in Ohio) and Millie married in June of 1959, initially making their home in Cuyahoga Falls but residing in Hiram for the last 53 years.
Curly was a generous and unselfish man, helping support his parents and younger siblings back home after he moved to Ohio, and then later in life, opening his home to several children of friends and relatives. He was amazingly calm and patient in the face of any challenge, teaching all four of his children to drive a stick-shift car; and also how to change the oil. He was a gentle spoken man with an engaging laugh, clever sense of humor, and was sought after for his sage advice. He prized family relationships (“the best thing you can do for your children is love their mother”), had a positive attitude (“I don’t HAVE to go to work, I GET to go to work”) and exemplified graciousness (“that’s just the way I like it”). Curly was extremely devoted to his family and career, and pointedly encouraged others to succeed in both. He was known to embody the teachings of Dale Carnegie, quote Will Rogers, and live scripturally. He had a deep relationship with the outdoors, was accomplished at gardening, fishing, hunting, and foraging, and was an early enthusiast of Euell Gibbons. His upbringing taught him to be thrifty and creative with limited resources, and he carried that habit throughout his life. He had a root, an herb, or a witticism to fix nearly anything. And what that wouldn’t fix, a little duct tape could.
Curly was preceded in death by his parents as well as siblings Marie E. Comer, B. Ruth Frazier, and William W. Jackson (at birth); and grandson John W. Jackson Jr. (at birth). He is survived, and deeply loved, by his wife Mildred M. (Barrett) Jackson; children Terri L. (Dan) Pawlak of Ravenna, John W. (Sherie) Jackson of Honea Path, SC, Kathie M. (Will) Jackson-Holland of Bath, and Scott V. (Shelley) Jackson of Troy Twp. He is also survived, and missed, by grandchildren Dustin L. (Becky) Pawlak, Heath T. (Rocio) Pawlak, Melanie L. Jenkins, Joshua W. Jackson, Luke T. Jackson, Jeremiah P. Jackson, W. Jackson Holland, Callia M. Holland, Lyra K. Holland, Barrett S. Jackson, Clark T. Jackson, and Wilson L. Jackson; and six (soon to be seven) great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brother James W. (Donna) Jackson of Wolf Creek, WV; sister Laura A. ‘Penny’ O’Brien of Frankford, WV; and sister Dreama J. ‘Patty’ Carter of Alderson, WV.
Calling hours will be Tuesday, September 6, 2022, 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. at the Green Family Funeral Home & Crematory Service, 4668 Pioneer Trail at the corner of St. Rt. 44, Mantua, Ohio, 44255, and Wednesday, September 7, 2022 from 10:30 A.M.-11:00 A.M. at Crossroads Community Church, 9018 St. Rt. 44, Ravenna, Ohio, 44266, where his funeral service will then begin at 11:00 A.M. Officiating will be Reverend David Oreskovic. Final resting place will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Hiram, Ohio. His obituary, video tribute, and memories may be viewed at www.greenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
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