TOPEKA — Richard Jackson, 72, Lyndon, died Sunday, June 20, 2021, at Midland Hospice Care, Topeka.
He was born Dec. 8, 1948, in Emporia, the son of Fred A. “Fritz” and Elaine Gladys (Hallowell) Jackson. He graduated from Osage City High School in 1966. After that, he was drafted to the United States Army. Although he was technically a soldier during the Vietnam War, he lucked out and ended up driving trucks through Germany. While in the Army, he obtained some truly epic tattoos.
Richard worked as a self-employed contractor and carpenter. He always smelled like sawdust, and he was a complete perfectionist. Carpentry continued to be a passion throughout his life, whether he was building his grandchildren a playhouse or helping one of his children with a remodeling project. He also worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Topeka, where he learned and perfected his many dad jokes, along with less appropriate jokes he saved for those occasions when he wanted his audience to gag or recoil in shock. He was shameless, always laughing at his own jokes harder than anyone else.
He was a member of the Overbrook Bible Church.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by four daughters, Blair Falldine (Cory), Emporia, Audra Lohrbach (Dan), Silver Lake, Tessa Herman (Brandon), Topeka, and Jetta Barbar (Turk), Doha, Qatar; a son, Richard Wade Jackson (Meg), Topeka; a sister, Janice Fager (Larry), Reading; two brothers, Robert E. Jackson (friend, Jan Ogleby) and James L. Jackson (Deanna), both of Osage City; nine grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Richard’s friends and family will miss his advice delivered via catchphrase (“You’ve gotta take care of business”), his delicious smoked ribs and chickens, his legendary moustache, his patented dance moves, and his love and support.
Funeral services were 10 a.m. Friday, June 25, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Osage City, with burial following at Osage City Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Dawn Wellness and Recovery Center and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth St., Osage City, KS 66523.
Condolences may be left at VanArsdaleFS.com.
