Lawrence "Gene" E. Jackson, age 63, of Tonkawa, was the son of the
late Orvil E. and Mae VanLaningham Jackson. He was born on April 8,
1940, in Springfield, Missouri, and passed away Friday evening, Jan.
30, 2004, at Integris Blackwell Regional Hospital.
The funeral was held on Tuesday, Feb. 3, in the
chapel of Dugger Funeral Home in Tonkawa. Burial was in the Tonkawa IOOF
Cemetery. The Rev. Orval Stanley officiated. A flag presentation was held
by American Legion and VFW Post 2855 of Blackwell.
Lawrence graduated from high school in Jefferson
City, Missouri, then served in the United States Navy. He spent his life
working for numerous railroads, retiring from Burlington Northern Railroad
in 1989.
He and Ruth Ann Howard were married April 21,
1980, in Miami, Oklahoma. They moved to Minatare, Nebraska, living there
for 10 years before coming to Tonkawa.
Lawrence was a devoted husband, father, son and
grandfather. His first love was collecting model trains, then fishing,
doing woodwork for his family and friends, watching sports, working in his
garden, and relaxing on his porch. He was a member of Grand Avenue Baptist
Church in Tonkawa.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann Howard
Jackson of the home; his mother, Mae VanLaningham Jackson of Springfield,
Missouri; daughters, Pamela L. Keene and her husband Angelo of Tucson,
Arizona, and Jeanie M. Dotson and her husband Mike of Buffalo, Missouri; a
son, Rodney C. Jackson and his wife Dawn of Ponca City; a brother, Howard
Jackson of Joplin, Missouri; a sister, Mary Krasche of Springfield,
Missouri; and four grandchildren, Ashley and Andrew Keene and Sarah and
Olivia Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his father, Orvil E.
Jackson.
