Ronald David Jackson, Sr.

Ronald David Jackson, Sr., went home to be with the Lord on March 25, 2024, after a nine year very hard-fought battle with esophageal cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents Leo Jr. and Doris (Hickman) Jackson, his wife of 46 years, Mildred (Galloway) Jackson, and his sister Linda Sue (Jackson) Edmonds. Ronnie, in true warrior fashion, remained at his home until the last week before his passing, enjoying the 70-degree March wild weather week, then being transported to Delaware Hospice on the first day of spring.

Ronnie was born in Erie, PA, on May 29, 1950, after which the family moved to Orlando, Florida in 1959. He participated in cub scouts and in middle school, he played Pony League Baseball with his brother, Jim, on the Kentucky Fried Chicken team where he played the catcher position. Ronnie graduated from Maynard Evans High School in 1968.

Ronnie enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1969 and completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, GA, going on to complete his initial training at Fort Sam Houston, TX. He served on active duty as a medic, as did his father (WWII) and grandfather (WWI) before him. Ron was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War where he worked as both a signal man and a corpsman. He served in the emergency room, assisted in surgeries, and delivered babies in the maternity ward. Ron commented recently that he didn’t like to give the little babies their shots because they cried, and he felt bad about that. He also recently shared that while overseas he received orders to deploy to Vietnam. He said he didn’t tell his parents, as he didn’t want them to worry. But five days before he was to leave for Vietnam, the orders were cancelled and the draw down of U.S. troops began.

Ronnie heard the call of duty once again in February 1985, and he enlisted in the Delaware Army National Guard and served over 17 years. He served with Det-1 HC 280th Signal Battalion in Laurel, DE, Co A 280th Signal Battalion in Seaford, DE, and HHC 280th Signal Battalion in Georgetown, DE, culminating in his position as Telecom Operations Chief, attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class. Battalion-wide, Ron was famous for the Jackson “gray bag.” He had a gym bag/tote that he packed for every place he went with the DEARNG. It didn’t matter if he was going for two days, two weeks, or two months; Ron always carried the same “gray bag.” He was also known by his fellow Veterans for his loyalty, quiet assurance, and quick wit. Ron retired from the DEARNG in 2002.

Ron was employed at Tom Best Store at Five Points in Lewes, DE, for 11 years in the hardware section. After that, he worked as a custodian at Cape Henlopen High School for several years and then transferred closer to home to work at Milton Middle School. Ronnie was named Custodian of the Year in 1999 and later retired after giving 25 years to the Cape Henlopen School District.

Ron’s favorite hobbies included fishing (especially for sea bass and flounder with his friends, Big Mike and Philly Rob), deer hunting (especially with his brother, Kenny), gardening and feeding a multitude of birds - black oil sunflower seeds - only the best for his birds. He was also known as the “hummingbird whisperer,” having at least a dozen of the tiny creatures buzzing around his hat as he refilled their sugar water dutifully, sometimes as much as three times a day. Ron enjoyed wearing hats and camo and any type of shirt that had deer or fish on it. He also loved hanging out at reunions, talking to his custodian buddy, JD, and enjoyed visiting neighbors and with members of the Jackson family any time.

Ronnie was famous for his home-made vegetable beef soup. He enjoyed watching westerns, nature shows and military movies. He only watched football if the Eagles were playing. His music tastes ranged from Charlie Daniels and Kenny Rogers to Aaron Neville and Nat King Cole. He only played video games for a brief period of time in the 1980s. His favorite games were Duck Hunt, Frogger and Asteroids. Once he got a blister from playing Asteroids too long, so that was the end of the “gaming season” for Ron. Well, at least until he discovered “virtual reality” fishing in 2023…

Ronnie is survived by his faithful dog Koko, devoted son Ronald (Gator) Jackson, Jr. (Angie), beloved stepdaughter Beth (Macrino) Harris (Dwayne), stepdaughter Millie (Macrino) Rodman (John), and stepson John Macrino, and nine step-grandchildren Avery, Madilyn, Hali, Josh, Abraham, Jay, Kate, Amber and Nick. He is also survived by his brothers James (Jim) Jackson (Linda Jean), Kenny (Hawkeye) Jackson (Sandi), and sister Sondra (Jo-Jo) (Jackson) Green (Jim), and Gator’s friend, Robert Santiago, who was like another son to Ronnie, many cousins, nieces, nephews, fellow Veterans, co-workers, fishing buddies and friends.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 10:00am in the chapel of Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE 19966. A celebration of life is being planned for a future date to be determined.

Ronnie’s family has established a “WISH 4 FISH” fund, with proceeds sponsoring individuals with cancer to go charter boat fishing on the Thelma Dale, Fisherman’s Wharf, Lewes, DE. To donate, please send a check or donate online to the nonprofit organization collecting and distributing tax-deductible contributions for the W4F fund, Come All Who Are Thirsty Veterans Group. The mailing address is CAWAT, P.O. Box 555, Sharpsburg, MD 21782, or donate securely online at www.comeallwhoarethirsty.org, click on WELCOME, scroll down on the left and click on the yellow DONATE button. Please put “W4F RJ” in the notes section of your check or online donation.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Delaware Hospice in Milford, DE, the Tunnel Cancer Center in Rehoboth Beach, DE, and the entire crew at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Amazing race – strong finish!