David Jackson

David Lee Jackson, 54, of Waco, passed away Friday, August 21, 2009 in a Temple hospital with his loving wife, Lindia, by his side.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, August 29 at Lake Shore Drive Church of Christ, 2800 Lake Shore Drive. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at 5 p.m. Saturday, August 29 at the Oakwood Cemetery in Coldspring, Texas.

David Lee Jackson was born in Lorain, Ohio, the third of five children of John and Betsy Jackson. His father's carpentry work brought the family to Texas where they settled in Coldspring. With a loving, nurturing family surrounding him, David spent his young years in the Coldspring schools, graduating from high school in 1974. David attended the Texas State Technical Institute of Waco, Spartan School of Aviation in Oklahoma City and Rice Aviation of Houston and was awarded his Airframe and Power Plant License by the FAA. Throughout his 27 year career in aviation, David earned his Inspection Authorization from the FAA, attended North Harris County College, McLennan Community College, FlightSafety International, Diamond Aircraft International, Tarrant County Junior College, and various industry training classes.

The highlights of David's career included the special years with Transco Energy of Houston where his love of aircraft blossomed. David brought his family to Waco in 1988 for his work with Elsinore Airframe Services. When EAS was awarded the US Marshal's maintenance contract in 1992, EAS transferred David to the Oklahoma City base of operations. David spent the remainder of his career in management and inspection for various maintenance facilities from San Jose, California to Miami, Florida. In 2000, David brought his family back home to Texas, first to College Station and then settling in Waco. His career was cut short in 2004 by a series of strokes. His lifelong love of aircraft led him across the country, but Texas was home.

David also had a special appreciation for the National Kidney Foundation Fund and the American Diabetes Association. David suffered from type 1 diabetes from the age of 17, which was the direct cause of his end-stage renal disease. In 1996, David experienced complete kidney failure while in San Jose. His loving older sister, Susan, donated her kidney to David in 1997. Diabetes, again, took its toll and in 2003, David lost the function of Susan's donated kidney. David's battle with diabetes and kidney failure included financial help for his family from the National Kidney Fund. His family would greatly appreciate your memorials to that foundation as it provides financial assistance to kidney patients throughout the country.

The Lake Shore Church of Christ of Waco became David's final church family in 2004. David and his wife, Lindia, served when his health allowed. A quiet couple, David turned his heart towards the teaching of Christ and enjoyed hearing the Word and the congregational singing. David appreciated all the many blessings and assistance given by the congregation and the eldership for the care of himself and his family.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Noble Jackson.

David leaves behind his loving family including his wife, Lindia and son, Benjamin Howard both of Waco; his daughter, Tara Lynn Phears, expectant grandson and husband, Michael of Cypress; his son, John Noble Jackson of Austin; his mother, Betsy Jackson of Coldspring; older brother, Robert Jackson and wife, Mariane and their son, Christopher of Coldspring; older sister, Susan Brooks and husband, Johnny of Waller; younger sister, Ann Luckey and husband, Bill of Tomball; younger brother, Richard Jackson and wife, Mitzi of Sugarland; niece, Lesa Hoffman and grandnephew, Bryce of Waller; nephew, Stephen Brooks of Waller; niece, Betsy Brooks of Magnolia; niece, Sarah Luckey, nephews, Ranger Luckey and Corrigan Luckey and wife, Kayla of Tomball; nephew, Joe Jackson and wife, Keren and grandniece, Lily, of San Marcos; niece, Kristen Jackson of Houston; nephew, Matt Jackson of Sugarland; uncle, Johnny MacDonald of Ohio; and various cousins and extended family throughout the nation.

David Lee Jackson led a peaceful and quiet life. For his final 5 years, he learned valuable lessons and remembered them often:

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:10

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you". Hebrews 13:5

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be directed to the National Kidney Fund or the American Diabetes Association.