JACKSON – Paul Louis Jackson aged 83 passed from earthly life to eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ on January 17 2010. He was preceded in death by Gerry (nee Geraldine Ruth Koopsen), his loving wife and soul mate of 50 years who passed away as a result of pancreatic cancer in 1999. Left to cherish their memories are Paul and Gerrys five children and 15 grandchildren: Lynn and Bob Buchanan (Colin and fiance Corrine John and wife Lauren Evan), Tom and Sue Jackson (Joshua Mark), Marsha and Jim Shade (Jason Michael Paul), Bob and Mary Jackson (Philip Ellen Griffin Drew), Steve and Jennifer Jackson (Steves children Zecharya Taylor Geraldine). Paul is also survived by his brother Bill (Jan) Jackson of Jaffrey New Hampshire his sister Skeeter Mae Jackson of Sarasota Florida and many extended Jackson and Koopsen family members nieces and nephews. Paul was a faithful Christian husband father and grandfather. His defining characteristic was his love of the Lord and his steadfast conviction and faith that there never was a time that God did not know everything. Born in Lawrence Michigan on April 16 1926 he joined the Army Air Corps on his 17th birthday and left for boot camp when he graduated from Lawrence High School to serve as a B-29 tail gunner. After the service he attended Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan and graduated from U of M with a masters degree in metallurgical engineering. After graduation Paul worked in research and development in the steel industry in Michigan New York and Pennsylvania and completed his career at the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn Michigan. Paul seldom missed a day of work during his 27 years as a manager at Ford and retired to Grand Rapids in 1989. Paul had a deep abiding appreciation of nature and the great outdoors and enjoyed fishing hunting weekend lumberjacking and feeding the birds and squirrels. During retirement Paul spent a great deal of his time studying the Bible teaching himself Hebrew and Greek and listening to sermons on tape by Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse. In 1996 he finished writing and publishing his book on eschatology Coming Up On Seven. His family will miss him and his firm handshake fine singing voice keen sense of humor generous nature strong opinions and enduring example of a faith-based life. To God be the glory. The family would like to express their appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the staff at Sunrise Senior Living for the love and care that was given to Paul while he resided there. Visitation will be from 6:00 8:00 PM on January 21 and from 10:00 on January 22 at the OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel 3980 Cascade Road S.E.. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home to celebrate Pauls life at on January 22 the Reverend Thomas L. Maher retired presiding. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Pauls name may be made to Honor Congregational Church 10959 Main Street Honor Michigan 49640.
