Jackson, Ralph Leroy

Ralph Leroy Jackson, 88, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Muscatine, passed away Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, at Heritage Nursing and Rehab Center in Cedar Rapids. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Muscatine Memorial Park Cemetery, with full military rites by the combined units of VFW Post 1565 and American Legion Post 27. Services will be held following burial at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Muscatine. Following the service, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the church. Visitation for Ralph will be Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. at George M. Wittich Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Muscatine.

Memorials may be directed toward the Muscatine Public Library, Musser Art Museum, Sister Cities and First Presbyterian Church, all in Muscatine.

Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.

Ralph was born April 8, 1925, in Omaha, Neb. Ralph was the son of the late Walter Jackson and Idella (Coddington) Jackson. His family moved to Missouri Valley, Iowa in 1940. He graduated from high school at age 17 in 1942. At age 18 he registered for the draft with the U.S. Army. Ralph was a veteran of World War II, serving in the 14th Armored Division 36th Tank Battalion, (The Liberators), in France and Germany. Following his military service, he earned a degree in engineering under the G.I. bill from the University of Iowa. On Aug. 14, 1949, Ralph was united in marriage with Marilyn “Lyn” E. Harris in Muscatine. After graduation in 1950, he joined Stanley Engineering Co. in Muscatine. His career with Stanley Consultants spanned 37 years as a registered electrical (power plant), mechanical and computer engineer. He was instrumental in establishing the first computer department at Stanleys.

He was also a board member of Friends of the Library and active in Toastmasters and Muscatine Sister Cities, United World Federalists, AARP Tax Aide, SHIIP, Score and First Presbyterian Church and many other local and international affiliations. He enjoyed traveling worldwide, stamp collecting, golfing, fishing trips to Canada, meeting Army buddies each year at the annual reunions and high school friends at each five-year reunion. His biggest achievement of his 88 years was his 63 years of marriage to his wife, Lyn.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Lyn of Cedar Rapids; daughters, Ann E. Drahos and husband Don of Cedar Rapids and Jennifer J. Peters and husband Bruce of Eagan, Minn.; six grandchildren, Damon Harris (Elizabeth) Drahos, Megan Elizabeth (Jonathan) Hoffman, Heather Ann (Ryan) Ayers, Shawn Steven Peters, Candice Jane Peters and Eric Alan Peters; and three great-grandchildren, Steven Decker, Erika Decker and Brooklyn Drahos.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Cecil Jackson, Paul Jackson, Virginia Hickey and Francis (Sonny) Jackson; and son, Steven Ralph Jackson.

Published Sept. 1, 2013 in The Gazette