Jackson, Harold James 'Jim'

A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, Aug. 17, at10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, Cedar Falls. Two opportunities for visitation will be in Mount Vernon from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices and in Cedar Falls from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at St. Patrick Church. Also Sunday at the church will be a rosary and vigil service at 5 p.m. and a Sharing of Memories beginning at 6 p. m. In Cedar Falls, the family is served by Dahl-Van-Hove-Schoof Funeral Home.

- H. James "Jim" Jackson, address to teachers 1993

"Love: I cannot say enough about this word. It must be a part of all we do. We must love ourselves, love each other and we must love the children we serve. We must love the parents of those children, and we must love the work we do. For if we accept the Glorious Burden of being teachers, and if we are to really make a difference in this world, it is only love that will make it possible."

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials in Jim's honor may be made to The Rachel Ann Stoner Scholarship, c/o Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids or any Birthright office.

Harold James "Jim" Jackson, 78, died Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, at home with his family at his side. He was a much loved and admired husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, teacher, auctioneer and civic leader.

He was born at the home of his parents, Ralph and Aryls (Simmer) Jackson, in rural Bagley, Iowa, on Dec. 17, 1930. He married Joan Phyllis Lansing at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mason City on June 21, 1952.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years; his daughter, Ann and husband Ray Stoner of Mount Vernon, his son, Thomas and wife Debress of Fort Myers, Fla.; his daughter, Mary Jackson of Houston, Texas; and his son, James and wife Tatiana of Cedar Falls; 13 grandchildren, Caitlin, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Alice, Thomas Jr. (Brooke), Jessica, William, Daniel, Anna, Sophia, Alexandra, Dominic and Frances; three brothers, Joe Jackson and wife Karen of Fort Dodge, Andrew Jackson and wife Aura of Omaha, Neb., and Steve Jackson and wife Dianne of Jefferson; brothers-in-law, Delmar Hobart of Des Moines and Mark Lansing of Dubuque; and sister-in-law, Kay Lansing of Louisville, Ky.; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Jim received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Iowa State Teachers College (1952 and 1967). His first teaching assignments took him to Edison Junior High School, Rock Island, Ill., and later to McKinley Elementary, Mason City. In 1957, Jim and Joan moved to Augsburg, Germany, where Jim taught at the Department of the Army Schools and was the recipient of the U.S. Army's Sustained Superior Performance Award for excellence in education.

In 1962, after five years overseas, Jim and Joan returned to Cedar Falls, where Jim taught at Kittrell Elementary in Waterloo and Southdale Elementary in Cedar Falls while at the same time studying for his M.A. degree. In 1965, Jim became principal of North Cedar Elementary School in Cedar Falls, leaving there in 1969 to become the first principal of Hansen Elementary School in Cedar Falls, where he would stay until his retirement in 1994. At various times

Jim also served as principal of Humbert Elementary School and Valley Park Elementary School, both in Cedar Falls.

In addition to education, Jim's love of history and antiques gave birth to what eventually evolved into Jackson's International Auctioneers and Appraisers of Fine Art and Antiques headquartered in Cedar Falls. For decades Jim's voice was heard at a vast multitude of benefit auctions helping to raise thousands of dollars for various Cedar Valley organizations. Additionally, for several years Jim also served as announcer at the 11th and Clay Street reviewing stand during the annual Sturgis Falls Celebration Parade of which he was also past Grand Marshal.

Jim was a passionate advocate for the poor, marginalized, underprivileged and the handicapped. He was particularly interested in the rights and full participation of all children and adults with social, economic, intellectual and physical disabilities. In the mid 1960s, Jim served as chairman of the Black Hawk County Community Action Council, an anti-poverty organization. He was also a member of Arc (Association for Retarded Citizens) and in 1990, received the "Friend Of" award from the Iowa TASH – The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps. Jim also served as a member of the Iowa Department of Educational Assistance Team for Integration and over the years presented numerous workshops on the subject of integration throughout the world.

Jim was past chairman of the Iowa Association of Elementary School Principals and past member of the board of directors of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, Head Start, Junior League Advisory Board and the Western Home. In 1965, Jim received the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Civitan Club and in 1990, was named Iowa Reading Association Administrator of the Year by the Iowa Association of Elementary Educators.

Jim was a longtime and active member of St. Patrick's Parish, Cedar Falls, where he served in many capacities over the years, including the Parish Council, board of education, lector and usher. For the last four years Jim was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mount Vernon. In retirement Jim and his wife Joan enjoyed spending time with their 13 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant twins, James Mark and Joan Mary; infant daughter, Margaret Mary; a granddaughter, Rachel Ann Stoner; a brother, Ralph Jr.; and sisters, Jeanne and Joan.