Aug. 26,1948 ~ Oct. 4, 2016
On the morning of October 4, 2016, while at home in Gardnerville, Nevada, Mike passed from this life to eternal life, through his faith in Jesus Christ.
Mike is the son of Albert and Mary Jackson. He was the oldest of four children, along with his brother David and sisters Cynthia and Joanne.
Mike grew up in Norco, California where he joined the U.S. Army in 1968. After completing armor training at Fort Knox, Mike was deployed to Vietnam where he bravely served two tours of combat duty with the 4th Infantry Division. Mike’s brother David served with him in the 1/69th Armor during his second tour, and they were one of only 17 pairs of brothers to serve together in Vietnam, in the same unit, at the same time. Mike went on to have a distinguished 24 year career in the U.S. Army.
Mike met Dorothy in 1980 and they were married shortly after. Dorothy adjusted to theexciting, yet difficult, life of a military wife and they had two children, LeeAnne and Donald. With a family and a career marked by many awards and commendations, including 4 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Vietnam Presidential Unit Citations, CIB, while working with the 173rd Airborne, SGT. Morales Club, and the honor of speaking to the graduating class at West Point, Mike went on to a career at the University of Iowa ROTC program, The Sparks High School and Galena High School’s ROTC programs and distinguished himself with further awards and commendations at those institutions. He retired with the rank of Sergeant Major.
Mike spent many hours fishing, and a few hours golfing. Due to his fishing expertise, he became known to family and students as “the fish whisperer.”
Mike is survived by his wife Dorothy; children, LeeAnne and Donald; grandchildren, Donald Jr. and Leelynd; his mom Mary; brother Dave; and sisters, Cynthia and Joanne.
A military ceremony will be held at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada on November 7th at 11:00 am. Celebration of his Life to follow.