John C. Jackson

John C. Jackson, age 102, of Fairfield, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Sunnybrook Living Care Center.

Visitation for family & friends will be 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Behner Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be 1:00 pm, Friday, April 28, 2017 at Behner Funeral Home. Burial with Military rites will be at Elm Grove Cemetery, Washington, IA.

In-lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to American Cancer Society or Disabled Veterans.

John was born September 19, 1914 in Washington, IA to John and Elsie (Schneider) Jackson. He married Phyllis Flenner and she passed away April 1987. On May 2, 1992, he married Mona (Harper) Shaffer. She passed away December 2009.

John lived his entire life in southeast Iowa. He graduated from Washington High School, Washington, IA and Parsons College in Fairfield. John has lived in Fairfield most of his life, where he is known as a philanthropist, a businessman, and a musician.

Mr. Jackson was longtime owner of the Fairfield Feed Company. The company, first known as Jackson and Catlett Mill, was started by his father, John E. Jackson, and Rollin Catlett in 1930. Six years later, the senior Jackson bought out Catlett and the business name was changed to Fairfield Feed Company.

After graduating from Washington High School and attending Parsons College, Mr. Jackson joined his father in the business until he was called to military service in World War II.

John joined the former 133rd Infantry Band in Fairfield in November 1933, and saw action overseas during World War II. After 3.5 years in Europe, he returned to Fairfield and joined the Iowa National Guard’s newly organized 34th Army Band. After 40 years with the band, he retired in 1974.

When he returned home after his wartime service, John also rejoined his father at the feed company. When his father retired in 1955, John became sole owner and managed the business until selling it in 1978.

John was a charter member of the Washington Municipal Band in 1932. He donated funds to help build a new bandstand in Washington in 2010, and the Washington Municipal Band honored Jackson by playing his favorite song, “Lassus Trombone.”

The philanthropist also has donated money to the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center to start an endowment for the center, and he established the John Jackson Instrumental Music Scholarship awarded yearly to a Fairfield High School student and administered by the Greater Jefferson County Foundation.

John was a member of the Elks, Eagles, 34th Infantry Association and Musician Union Association.

John is survived by his two step children, Stephen (Vicki) Shaffer of Rio Rancho, NM and Cliff (Terry) Shaffer of Granbury, TX; and 7 step grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elsie Jackson; his two wives, Phyllis and Mona; and one brother, Harold.

On-line condolences can be made to the family at: behnerfh.com.