The Shadow
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Lenard Gray Jackson (91), widower of Gracie M. Jackson, of Staunton, VA, went home to be with the Lord on 9/15/2017 at Shenandoah Nursing Home and Rehab in Fishersville, VA.
He was born in Covington on 12/25/1925 to Luther Elme Jackson and Yula Ralston Jackson and raised in Burnsville, VA.
He was a quiet, humble man with a gentle soul always dedicated to his church, wife and family – celebrating 68 years of marriage in January. He loved to hunt and fish and always had something to say to make people smile. When a grocery clerk would ask if he wanted his milk in a bag, he would reply, “No, I prefer you leave it in the jug.”
Shortly after graduation from Millboro High School in Bath County, VA, he was drafted into WWII. He served as a Combat Infantryman in the US 3rd Army, 75th Infantry Regiment Company G where he developed trench foot in the Ardennes Forest in the Battle of the Bulge. After a lengthy recovery, he was reassigned to the 710th Engineering Base Depot Company in Brussels and later to the 1568th Spare Parts Platoon in Nuremberg, Germany. While in the European Occupation Forces, he attended the Nuremberg War Criminal Trials. He was honorably discharged on 6/6/1946 as a Technician Fourth Grade.
After returning to the states, he married and moved to Staunton, working for Reid’s grocery store followed by 25 years as a supervisor at American Safety Razor Company. In retirement, he enjoyed selling life insurance and real estate until he found his true love: woodworking. He was well known at local church yard sales for his woodcrafts.
Lenard was a longtime active member of St. John’s United Methodist Church since 1953.
He is survived by two sons, Lawrence D. Jackson and wife, Sandra, of Virginia Beach and Dennis W. Jackson of Columbus, OH; three grandchildren, Christine J. Miller and husband, Brian, of Papillion, NE, Lee B. Jackson and wife, Kristen, of Virginia Beach, VA and Kimberly R. Jackson of Atlanta, GA; two great-grandchildren, Abigail M. Miller and Isabelle O. Miller, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gracie McCoy Jackson (91), on 4/5/2017; father, Luther Elme Jackson, and mother, Yula Ralston Jackson.
The family wishes to acknowledge Pamela Bahrs for her dedication in many years of giving loving care to our parents. We also want to thank Jim Huggins for being his faithful friend.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in St. John’s United Methodist Church by Rev. T. Bryson Smith.
Burial will follow in Oaklawn Mausoleum and Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2017 in the Henry Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the USO, Disabled American Veterans or St. John’s United Methodist Church, 1716 North Augusta Street, Staunton, VA, 24401.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.henryfuneralhome.net.
Henry Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
