Eugene Mathew Jackson, 68, of Greenville died June 8 in Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, surrounded by his family.
Born on August 13, 1950, in Morehead City, he lived most of his life on Ocracoke, before moving to Greenville in 2001.
He worked for the Hyde County Sheriff Department as chief deputy for Ocracoke until his early retirement in 1997 after 17 years of service due to health reasons, and he was a longtime member of the Freemasons.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Guthrie Jackson and Clara Styron Jackson, and his “other parents,” Monford (Monk) and Iva Garrish.
Among his survivors are his wife of 50 years, Sandra Garrish Jackson, of Greenville; his oldest son Jeffery Allen Jackson and his wife Kellie, of Greenville; his youngest son, Eugene Bruce Jackson and his wife Heather, of Winterville; his older brother and his wife, Jimmy and Linda Jackson, his niece and her husband, Melinda and David Scott Esham; and his nephew, Jamie Jackson, all of Ocracoke.
Gene was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important — the simplicity of living a life with those you love.
He was a wonderful husband, father, friend, provider and protector, and he loved his family and friends with all that was in him.
Even through adversity, he always maintained his bigger than life personality and awesome sense of humor and was well-loved because of them.
We will miss him dearly, but we know that he is rejoicing in heaven with his heavenly Father and family.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1p.m. Saturday, July 13, at Ocracoke United Methodist Church, School Road.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina online at BIANC.net, or by mail at BIANC, 6604 Six Forks Road, Suite 104, Raleigh, NC 27615, or to the charity of one’s choice.
