Ernest Jackson, Jr.

Ernest “Ernie” Jackson Jr, 79 Geneseo, Illinois, passed away Saturday, July 9th 2022 at his home. Visitation is Monday, July 18th from 5:00-8:00pm at Sullivan-Ellis Mortuary, 1902 3rd Ave, East Moline.  Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 19th at 11am at Faith Baptist Church, 10560 Wolf Road, Geneseo.  The Rev. Jeff French will officiate. Burial will follow at The Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family. 

Ernie was born in Picayune, Mississippi the oldest of 8 children where he spent his early childhood years.  He graduated from George Washington Carver High School, DeRidder, Louisiana in 1962.  Ernie earned his Associate of Science: Mortuary Science in Houston, TX.   Ernie married Margaret Diana “Diane” Taite who passed away at the age of 42.  He later married Annie Walton.

SP4 Ernie served three years at home and abroad in the U.S Army as well as several years with the Army Reserves.  He joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a radio dispatcher for the Rock Island District. He later served as a Lockman with the Corps serving at Rock Island’s Lock & Dam 15 and Lock and Dam 14 at Le Claire. He advanced to  Lock Master at Brandon Road on the Illinois River at Joliet and later at Lock and Dam 13 in Clinton,IA. Ernie served 40 years for the Corps and was one of the first African American Lockmasters hired; retiring in 2004. After retirement, Ernie served on hurricane relief duty for FEMA through the Corps of Engineers for several years as a Program Delivery Manager (PDMG). Most notably Hurricane Katrina.

Ernie was known as “Coach Jackson”. He coached his children, grandchildren and numerous other young sports enthusiasts in baseball, basketball, football, soccer and travel ball in Geneseo and throughout the Quad Cities leaving those he taught with a sense of responsibility and discipline along with the love of the game.

Ernie was a loving member and proud deacon at the Faith Baptist Church, Wolf Road, Geneseo, IL and a volunteer at the Henry County Historical Society.

Surviving Children include:  Anthony T. Jordan (Topeka, KS), Tyrone D. Jackson (Heredia, Costa Rica), Jermane K. Jackson (Moline) and twins Ashley M. Jackson (Westchester, IL)  & Andre M. Jackson (Geneseo, IL).  Grandchildren: Charise, Sharnette, Shantel, Dominique, Jermane, Kane, Taurean, Kobe, Kaden, Malaki, Ela.  Great Grandchildren:  Deamonte, Kalia & 13 nieces and nephews.

Siblings:  Patricia (Samuel) Simmons (Silvis), Betty Jackson (East Moline), Paulette Jackson Holt (Carson, CA), Linda (Charles) Sowell (Prairieville, LA), Barbara “Bobbie” Leatherman (Geismar, LA), Brenda (Julius) Jackson (Bon Weir, TX).

Special Friends:  The Ron & Carole Flowers’ Family and Joseph Olinger.

Preceded in death by: Parents:  Rev. Earnest Jackson Sr. and Al Mary (Jimmy) Norris. Margaret Diana Jackson & Daughter: Sharonda L. Jackson. Brother: Lawrence Jackson.

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