Paul C. Jackson

SIOUX CITY -- Paul C. Jackson, 85, of Sioux City passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 7 p.m. Monday at Augustana Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Del Olivier officiating. Military honors will be offered by the U.S. Navy following the service Monday evening. Private family interment will be Tuesday morning in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present beginning at 6 p.m., a prayer service at 7 p.m. with a Masonic service following, at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave.

Paul was born Aug. 13, 1923, in Sioux City to Yefto and Milosova (Raskovich) Jaksich, his parents, who immigrated from Serbia, Yugoslavia, in 1890. He was raised, educated and obtained his strong Midwestern work ethic in Sioux City, graduating from Central High School in January 1942. Paul continued his education at Western Iowa Tech Community College, Morningside College, National Business School Training and Weaver School of Real Estate.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 -- a veteran of World War II. Paul trained as an Emergency Medical Field Technician and was assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps on the island of Tutuila and Nukufetau in the South Pacific Theater during the war, 4th Marine Brigade from April 1943 until April 1944. Paul was reassigned to the USS Shaw Destroyer (DD-373) from April 1944 until July 1945. The Shaw participated in the invasion and recapture of Saipan, Tinian and Guam, Leyte, Cebu, Ormoc Harbor and Manila in the Philippines Islands. The Shaw encountered the first Japanese suicide planes, and had three naval engagements with the Japanese Navy and participated in the sinking of the last Japanese warship (Hinoki) east of Cebu Island in the Philippines. Paul was honorably discharged on Nov. 11, 1945, as petty officer second class.

Paul enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard, Company H, 113th Infantry Regiment as a staff sergeant of a .30-caliber machine gun company in Sioux City in 1956. He also served on the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, served as coordinator for the 5th Veterans Bowl at Heelan Memorial Field and received commendation as promoter of Citizens Flag Alliance. He was a life member of AARP, DAV, VFW and American Legion. Paul volunteered as Veteran's Advocate providing assistance to veterans with disability claims and as "Honor Flag Presenter" at funerals for families of deceased veterans.

Paul served as chairman of the City Board of Trustees of the Sioux City Public Museum, Woodbury County Republican chairman, commander of American Legion Monahan Post 64 and had currently been a member of Morningside American Legion Post 697. He was a 50-year member of Morningside Masonic Lodge as a 32nd degree Mason.

Paul served as a Little League and Youth Baseball manager and on the Board of Directors for 16 years; promoted construction of Little League baseball fields at Pulaski Park; served as state director of the Babe Ruth Baseball Tournament and organized the first "Teen Queen" contest in America in Sioux City. He was also co-founder with Dick Feauto organizing the T-shirt baseball program in Sioux City.

He produced a sports and travel show as a charter member of the Exchange Club with the Salvation Army Red Shield Boys Club as the beneficiary. Paul served as 6th District AARP Vote Congressional coordinator, counselor of "Youth Job Corps" in Siouxland. He was appointed to the Governor's Study Commission on "Youth and Crime" and organizer of the "Back the Cops" program in 1969-1970 that received national attention. Paul coordinated with Gov. Branstad to bring the Iowa Welcome Center to Sioux City and created interest in Dakota Dunes originally with suggestion of a Tri-State Trade Center (IA-NEB-Dak).

Paul was a former member of the Downtown Rotary Club for 20 years and served as program chairman for eight years and was presented with the "Paul Harris Fellow" honor by eight past Rotary Club presidents. Program guests included former Secretary of State Al Haig, Vice President George H.W. Bush, Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, Elizabeth Dole, Gov. Bill Janklow, Congressman Fred Grandy, and many other nationally known celebrities.

He also received a commendation for contribution to the Siouxland Handicapped by assisting in the building of wheelchair ramps as a member of the "Over the Hill Gang" in Sioux City, and attended and gave support to the Sioux City Symphony for several years.

Paul was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church and former member of St. Luke Lutheran Church since 1951; served on the Church Council and Parish Education Building Committee and taught Sunday school. He supported and contributed to the Carmelite Nuns, Carmelite Guild and Queen of Peace.

After 38 years with Booth Fisheries Corporation (subsidiary of Sara Lee Corporation), Paul retired Jan. 22, 1984. He served as regional manager for several years and served one year as national sales development director. In 1951, Paul was named "National Frozen Food Distributor Salesman of the Year." He started the AAA Resume and Cover Letter Service in 1984 and retired from this operation in October 1999.

Paul married Frances Greig on May 24, 1947, and celebrated 62 years of marriage with the love of his life.

Paul is survived by his wife, Fran; daughter, Judy Krull and her husband, Ron of Huxley, Iowa; sons, Dennis Jackson and his wife, Diane of Lincoln, Neb., and James Jackson and his wife, Wanda of Sioux City; grandchildren, Paula, Shannon and wife, Brenda, Brandon, Nicholas and wife, Heather, and Brent and wife, Jennifer; and six great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be offered to Augustana Lutheran Church in Paul's name.