Bernard Robert Jackson, age 89, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2023 at the Millard Care and Rehab in Delta, Utah. Robert was born on May 15, 1934 to Bernard Roberton and Nella Robison Jackson in the home of his Robison grandparents in Hinckley, Utah. He grew up on the family farm in Sutherland and was the oldest of five children. He began working on the farm with his father and grandfather, George R. Jackson, when he was only six years old.
He was a lifelong resident of Millard County. Robert graduated from Delta High School in 1952 and then attended the College of Southern Utah in Cedar City, Utah. He excelled in auto and farm mechanics. In 1955, he was president of the trades club and they finished a two year project of constructing and finishing a home. He would use these skills that he had learned for the rest of his life.
In 1959, he aunt introduced Robert to his eternal companion, Ruth Eloise Johnson, in Salt Lake City. They were married June 22 of that year in the Salt Lake Temple. They raised their five children in Sutherland where they have lived all their lives.
Robert has been an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among other callings, he served 17 years as ward clerk, in five Bishoprics, in the Sutherland Ward and Sutherland 1st Ward. He believed in being a caring home teacher and was a good neighbor.
In 1970, Robert joined his father Bernard and brother, Lon, in a dairy/farming business under the name of ‘Jackson Feedyard’, which lasted for forty years. Robert especially liked the farming part of the business. He had a shop at the dairy where he could weld and repair machinery. His wood shop was at his home and he enjoyed building things. Robert helped build his parents’ home and he did a lot of the finishing work on the home where Ruth and he lived. Later on, he helped their son, Dale, finish his home. In 2011, he continued farming with Dale until health issues forced him to retire.
Robert was president of the Delta Milk Producers, a corporation of the first dairies in this area. They had purchased a truck to haul their milk to Cache Valley Dairy Association located near Smithfield, Utah and later to their branch plant in Beaver, Utah. He served for twelve years as a director on the Cache Valley Dairy board and received their “Dairyman of the Year” award in 1982.
Traveling with Don and Cherie Morris’ “Great Basin Tours” became an important phase of their lives for Robert and Ruth. Many lasting friendships came from these special experiences. They also were able to visit family from coast to coast and Germany.
Robert is now reunited with their two oldest children: Dr. Richard Jackson and Ranae Nelson (Chuck); sister-in-law: Vicki Jackson (LeRay); sister-in-law: Claire Johnson (Carl); brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Don and Marilyn Paulsen; parents: Bernard and Nella Jackson; and in-laws: Carl and Ruth Johnson.
He is survived by his eternal companion: Ruth; daughter: Dorene Terry (Robert), Delta; daughter: Joyce Drury (Will), Riverton; son: Dale Jackson (Marci), Delta; brother: Lon Jackson (Nedra), Delta; brother: LeRay Jackson, Delta; sister: Barbara Callister (Scott), Cedar City; brother: Steve Jackson (Debra), Garland, Utah; daughter-in-law: Becky Jeffery Weickum (Rick), South Jordan; son-in-law: Chuck Nelson, Provo; 22 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 19, at 11:00 am, at the Sutherland 1st Ward LDS Chapel. Viewings will be held on Friday evening, 6:00-8:00 pm, at the Nickle Mortuary; and Saturday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Those unable to attend are invited to view the recorded video of the service. Burial will be in the Sutherland Cemetery.
Our family thanks the Millard Care and Rehab personnel for their kind and gentle care given to Robert during his time as a resident there. We also express gratitude to Steven Shamo, MD, the late David Henrie, MD, and the physical therapy team led by Andrew Wankier for their care.