Ronald Jackson

Ron passed away peacefully in MeritCare Hospital Palliative Care Unit at the age of 83. Of those 83 years he was a husband for 61, a father for 60, and a grandfather for 20. Not a year went by that Ron didn't go camping with Dixie and his family or at least was thinking about it. His favorite spots were Itasca, Camp Wilderness and Spruce Hill on Long Lake outside of Park Rapids.

Ron began his life in Barnesville son to Fred and Gina Jackson. He was baptized and confirmed in Our Savior's Lutheran Church and attended Barnesville High School, graduating in 1943. His first love in high school was sports; especially basketball and football and was very proud to be captain of the football team his senior year.


After graduation Ron joined the Navy Sea Bees. He enjoyed his military service and credits the Navy for showing him much of the world. Ron was first trained in England for the Normandy invasion and was sent to the South Pacific after D-Day to become part of the occupation forces in Japan.


In between Europe and the Pacific, Ron was in the US for a brief leave when he met and danced his way into the heart of Dixie Brendemuhl of Sabin, literally filling many of her dance cards. Ron and Dixie were married March 26, 1947 and made their home in Moorhead where they raised their two sons, Paul and Bill.


After his military service Ron was employed by Bell Telephone for 37 years, including a one year special task force assignment with Bell Laboratories, New York City. He retired in 1983 and joined the Greater North Dakota Association (GNDA) specializing in employment and labor relations matters. Following the death of his oldest son, Paul, in the fall of 1986, Ron retired permanently.


Many of the camping excursions Ron and his family loved involved exploring State and National Parks with their beagle, Sparky, and the Boy Scouts' Camp Wilderness. Ron's dedication and service for the Boy Scouts of America spanned over 60 years. In 1965 he was named Scout of the Year and was bestowed the Silver Beaver Award in 1968 and the Lamb Award in 1979. Ron was extremely proud of his two sons and his grandson, who all shared in Ron's love for scouting and received their rank of Eagle Scout.


Ron was an active member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd for 52 years and raised his children there with Dixie. He especially enjoyed his friendships and camaraderie with the "Helping Hands" group of Good Shepherd. Ron's other affiliations
Ron especially enjoyed retirement with Dixie. In the spring they drove out to Spruce Hill to check on their summer site. Summers were shared between Moorhead and the lake; with a frequent stop in Osage for an ice cream cone. Fall and football season Ro
Memorials are preferred to Northern Lights Council, Boy Scouts of America and the Bell Tower, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, MN

Visitation for Ron will be Thursday, from 5 - 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
His funeral will be Friday, November 7, 2008, at 2 PM, in Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, (4000 - 28th Avenue South) Moorhead.