H. James Jackson

Harold James "Jim" Jackson, 78, died Sunday, August 9, 2009 at home with his family at his side. He was a much loved and admired husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, teacher, auctioneer and civic leader. He was born at the home of his parents Ralph and Aryls (Simmer) Jackson in rural Bagley, Iowa on December 17, 1930. He married Joan Phyllis Lansing at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mason City, Iowa on June 21, 1952. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, his daughter Ann and husband Ray Stoner of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, his son Thomas and wife Debress of Ft. Myers, Florida, his daughter Mary Jackson of Houston, Texas, his son James and wife Tatiana of Cedar Falls, Iowa; 13 grandchildren, Caitlin, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Alice, Thomas Jr. (Brooke), Jessica, William, Daniel, Anna, Sophia, Alexandra, Dominic, Frances; three brothers, Joe Jackson and wife Karen of Ft. Dodge Iowa, Andrew Jackson and wife Aura of Omaha, Nebraska, Steve Jackson and wife Dianne of Jefferson; brothers-in-law Delmar Hobart, Des Moines, Iowa and Mark Lansing, Dubuque, Iowa and sister-in-law Kay Lansing, Louisville, Kentucky; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Jim received his BA and MA from Iowa State Teachers College (1952 and 1967). His first teaching assignments took him to Edison Jr. High School, Rock Island, Ill, and later to McKinley Elementary, Mason City, Iowa. In 1957 Jim and Joan moved to Augsburg, Germany where Jim taught at the Department of the Army Schools and was the recipient of the U.S. Army's Sustained Superior Performance Award for excellence in education. In 1962 after five years overseas, Jim and Joan returned to Cedar Falls, Iowa where Jim taught at Kittrell Elementary in Waterloo and Southdale Elementary in Cedar Falls while at the same time studying for his MA. In 1965 Jim became principal of North Cedar Elementary School in Cedar Falls leaving there in 1969 to become the first principal of Hansen Elementary School in Cedar Falls where he would stay until his retirement in 1994. At various times Jim also served as principal of Humbert Elementary School and Valley Park Elementary School both in Cedar Falls. In addition to education, Jim's love of history and antiques gave birth to what eventually evolved into Jackson's International Auctioneers and Appraisers of Fine Art and Antiques headquartered in Cedar Falls. For decades Jim's voice was heard at a vast multitude of benefit auctions helping to raise thousands of dollars for various Cedar Valley organizations. Additionally, for several years Jim also served as announcer at the 11th and Clay Street reviewing stand during the annual Sturgis Falls Celebration Parade, of which he was also past Grand Marshal. Jim was a passionate advocate for the poor, marginalized, underprivileged and the handicapped. He was particularly interested in the rights and full participation of all children and adults with social, economic, intellectual and physical disabilities. In the mid 1960's Jim served as Chairman of the Black Hawk County Community Action Council, an anti-poverty organization. He was also a member of ARC- Association for Retarded Citizens, and in 1990 received the "Friend Of" award from the Iowa TASH - The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps. Jim also served as a member of the Iowa Department of Educational Assistance Team for Integration and over the years presented numerous workshops on the subject of integration throughout the world. Jim was past Chairman of the Iowa Association of Elementary School Principals, and past member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, Head Start, Junior League Advisory Board and the Western Home. In 1965 Jim received the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Civitan Club and in 1990 was named Iowa Reading Association Administrator of the Year by the Iowa Association of Elementary Educators. Jim was a longtime and active member of Saint Patrick's Parish, Cedar Falls, where he served in many capacities over the years including the Parish Council, Board of Education, Lector and Usher. For the last four years Jim was a member of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon. In retirement Jim and his wife Joan enjoyed spending time with their 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant twins James Mark and Joan Mary, and infant daughter Margaret Mary, a granddaughter Rachel Ann Stoner, a brother Ralph Jr., and sisters Jeanne and Joan. A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, August 17, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Patrick Church, Cedar Falls. Two opportunities for visitation will be: In Mount Vernon, 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2009 at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices and: In Cedar Falls, 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 16, 2009 at St. Patrick Church Cedar Falls. Also Sunday in the Church are a Rosary and Vigil Service at 5:00 p.m. and a Sharing of Memories beginning at 6:00 p. m. In Cedar Falls, the family is served by Dahl-Van-Hove-Schoof Funeral Home. "Love: I cannot say enough about this word. It must be a part of all we do. We must love ourselves, love each other and we must love the children we serve. We must love the parents of those children, and we must love the work we do. For if we accept the Glorious Burden of being teachers, and if we are to really make a difference in this world, it is only love that will make it possible." -H. James "Jim" Jackson- Address to teachers 1993 In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials in Jim's honor may be made to The Rachel Ann Stoner Scholarship c/o of Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids or any Birthright office.