Obituary of Richard Jackson

Richard "Dick" Wardell Jackson, age 87, of Mansfield passed away at home on October 5, 2018, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family members at his passing. Dick was born on his family's Lyme Hill farm in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania on June 11, 1931 to Wardell and Shirley (Strong) Jackson where he lived until they then moved to downtown Wyalusing. Dick married his high school sweetheart and is survived by Dolores Ann Bennett. They lived in Wyalusing for several years, where he built and worked at his parents downtown Farm and Home business. Their family then moved to Mansfield where he received his Elementary Education degree at Mansfield University, and was then hired by the Mansfield High School where he taught 7th and 8th grade math for more than 30 years. While teaching, he was very active with the high school sports programs, coaching the JV boys and girls varsity teams for 30 years. He was the assistant coach for the state champion boys' varsity team in 1969 and coached the girls varsity team to 5 district titles. He was inducted into the Tioga County Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Dick was an accomplished carpenter and a "jack of all trades" with everything that he did. He built not only two of his own homes, but other houses, additions and projects for several others in the area. He also worked several bridge construction jobs during summer school breaks. After retirement, he volunteered his time and building expertise at the local Methodist churches, and was an avid wooden toy maker, making very special toys for all of the generations of children in his family. His other hobbies included fishing, boating, hunting, singing in the Men's Chorus, and gardening. Dick is survived by his children, Douglas (Claudia Spencer), Judy (Kevin Beckman (d)) and Richard (Kelly March). He has ten grand-children; Douglas' children -Douglas (Kim) Jackson, Jonathan (Angela) Jackson and Joshua (Megan) Jackson; Judy's children - Richard Beckman (Margaret) and Jessicah Beckman (Mark) and Richard's children - Krista (Nicholas) Greenfield, Megan (Michael) Kitchen, Madeline (Cody) Horn, Aaron and Zachary. The eight great-grandchildren include: Douglas'-Amber and Spencer, Joshua's - Boston and Landon,; Jessicah's - Lacy and Colton; Krista's - Rowan and Madeline's - Lorelei. Dick has 3 siblings: Charlotte Hall (d), Betty Them, and Jim Jackson (d). He was the grandson of Frank and Alice Jackson of Wyalusing, and Sadie and John Strong of Terrytown, Pa. Dick was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and dutiful son. His kind, witty and joking spirit will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. He touched so many in a positive way; having taught and coached so many children, created close ties through 50 years of service with the United Methodist Church, and lasting friendships with many of his former students and basketball players. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at the Mansfield United Methodist Church, 67 E. Wellsboro St., Mansfield, PA with the Rev. James Wooster officiating. Funeral services under the direction of Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 637 S. Main St., Mansfield, PA. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com