Obituary of Col Michael David Jackson, USAF,

Born in Portland, Oregon, to Andrew B. and Ganola Gray Jackson and raised in Kennewick, Washington, Mike graduated from Washington State University with degrees in math and physics, was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1966 and served dutifully and passionately until his retirement in 1993. He also earned a Master's degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California while stationed in California. As a missile maintenance officer most of his career, he was proud to support keeping the ICBM missiles on alert, which he continued to do while working for several defense contractors after he retired from active duty. Keeping "his" missiles on alert was his primary mission.An avid outdoorsman, Mike enjoyed hunting deer and elk, as well as camping, hiking, and making sure his children knew how to survive in the outdoors. Racquetball, handball, football, weightlifting and running were favorite exercise passions. Gardening and landscaping were also enjoyable for him, earning him the "Dandelion King" title in the neighborhood. Sourdough pancakes and waffles were the usual Saturday morning treat that he perfected for family and friends. Mike never met a tool that he didn't like, and rarely one that he didn't have in his garage. Fixing things around the house, building the deck, installing sprinkling systems, or refinishing the basements in several houses, earned him another title "Handy-man Extraordinaire". Astronomy fascinated him, as did most mechanical devices.Mike served as Scout Master or Cub Master for the Boy Scouts; on troop or district committees; finance, planning and building committees at various churches in the places where he was stationed, who welcomed his experience. He was on the admin staff for Bible Study Fellowship; and served as a life member of the Air Force Association and the Association of Air Force Missileers. While living here in Colorado Springs, he sponsored many Air Force Academy Cadets and was willing and able to help with fundraising projects for various groups. Patriotic was often used to describe Mike. Red, white and blue coursed through his veins; he was always proud to be an American and believed that it was important to keep our country free so we could worship our Lord freely and not live under tyranny. He was a frequently requested speaker at Veteran and Memorial Day events while still on active duty. Giving credit to others when credit was due, he pointed out that as long as a job was done correctly, it didn't matter who got the credit, because it all belonged to the Lord anyway. He was willing to lead by example and never asked his troops or his family to do something he wasn't willing to do himself.He will be missed by many friends and former co-workers who remember his humble service to our country, and by his Sunday school and Bible Study classes where he taught and encouraged others to enjoy a relationship with God and to know the Bible. He is survived by his wife of forty-one years, Cindy; children, David (Emily) of Heath, Texas, Allison of Seattle, Washington, and Benton (Ashley) of Crested Butte, Colorado; grandchildren, Norah, Abigayle, Benjamin, and Josiah, all from Heath, Texas; his brother Keith's widow, Carolyn of Kirkland, Washington; and his brother, Douglas (Margaret) of Aurora, Colorado; a sister, Jane (Rob) Robertson of Wenatchee, Washington; and in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and numerous cousins and good friends who called him brother. Memorial Service, 10:00AM, Saturday, August 7, 2021, Rocky Mountain Calvary, 4285 North Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918.Please consider making a donation to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund:(curealz.org) to help find a cure for Alzheimer's disease in memory of Mike, or to the Alzheimer's Association:(alz.org) Events Memorial Service Saturday, August 7, 2021 10:00AM Rocky Mountain Calvary 4285 North Academy Boulevard Colorado Springs,, CO 80918 Phone: 719-597-1133