Colonel Phillip Lewis Jackson, USAF, (Retired)
March 2, 1947 ~ May 12, 2023
Born in:
Denison, Texas
Resided in:
San Antonio, Texas
Phillip was born in Denison, Texas on March 2, 1947, to Faye and Lewis Jackson. Before he began school, his family moved to Commerce, Texas where he lived until he joined the Air Force. Growing up, Phil was well-known and active in the community, Boy Scouts, and First United Methodist Church. At school, he participated in Key Club and served as the Drum Major of the High School marching band. He also worked at Huffines Chevrolet-Pontiac-Buick throughout high school and college. Phil received a B.S. in Industrial Arts Education and was in ROTC at East Texas State University, where he met Joyce through the Wesley Foundation.
Phil and Joyce were married on May 24, 1969 – the same day they both graduated from East Texas State and Phil was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He served as an aircraft maintenance officer and logistician throughout his twenty-eight years in the Air Force. He also earned an MBA from Southern Illinois University in 1978. Throughout his career, Phil and Joyce were stationed in many places, living all over the United States as well as in Thailand and Germany. Some of Phil’s notable military roles include Commanding Officer of the Organizational Maintenance Squadron responsible for maintaining Air Force I and the congressional airlift fleet, and Director of Logistics for the Air Intelligence Agency. Phil retired from the Air Force on July 31, 1997, receiving the Legion of Merit for his distinguished service to his country. He continued to work in various contract and management roles, utilizing his military experience, until retiring fully in 2007.
Phil and Joyce had three children – Andy, Matt, and Jessica. Their family enjoyed traveling throughout Europe while living in Germany. After they returned to the US, they had fun skiing in Colorado and sailing on Canyon Lake. Phil was also fond of fly fishing. After retirement, Phil and Joyce enjoyed traveling within the US and abroad, often with friends from their Sunday School class. They also spent time with their seven grandchildren in Houston, Boerne, and Round Rock as often as possible.
Phil was faithful, service-oriented, generous, and patriotic. He was a dedicated member of Coker United Methodist Church, where he was involved in the Fellowship Sunday School class and served in various leadership roles including Treasurer for United Methodist Men, Lead Usher, Chair of the Coker 2020 Committee, and the Coker Endowment Committee. Phil was deeply impacted by his Walk to Emmaus in 1998 and was a member of the same Emmaus Reunion Group for twenty-five years. He was also involved with Boy Scouts and served on the District Eagle Scout Board.
Phil died on May 12, after an eighteen-year journey with Parkinson’s Disease. He is survived by Joyce, his wife of 54 years, his children, Andrew Jackson (Julie), Matthew Jackson (Mandy), and Jessica Petersen (David). He leaves seven grandchildren: Jonathan, Emma and James Jackson, Mason and Madison Jackson, and Anna and Caroline Petersen. He is also survived by his brother, Steven Jackson (Karen).
The family would like to thank the caregivers from Caring Solutions who helped care for Phil at home during the last two years of his life, especially Jessell Mille.
A memorial service celebrating Phil’s life will be held at Coker United Methodist Church, 231 E. North Loop Road in San Antonio on Friday, July 7 at 2:00pm, following an interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a charitable contribution in Phil’s honor may consider the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s, the Coker Food Pantry, or the Coker Endowment.
Services
Graveside: July 7, 2023 10:30 am
Room: Shelter #3
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.
San Antonio, TX United States
78209
Memorial Service: July 7, 2023 2:00 pm
Coker United Methodist Church
231 E. North Loop Road
San Antonio, TX United States
78216
Prayers for the family.
So sorry for your loss, Jessica. If he raised you, he must have been a special man.
Love, Bob & Mary Sinclair
I miss you Phil. You were a wonderful man and leader.
Giving thanks for a life well lived and the promise of eternal life. Lifting your family in prayer, Jessica.
Peace and blessings. Rev. Judith Sellers
Rest in peace, Phil. 18 years with Parkinson’s is a real challenge. Joyce, my prayers are with all the family,