Obituary of Nathaniel Joseph Jackson

Nathaniel Joseph Jackson, Jr. February 18, 1926 – February 18, 2012 Our beloved Nathan passed away from cancer in his Portland, Oregon home on his 86th birthday. Nathan was born in Beaumont, Texas to Nathaniel Sr. and Julia Jackson. After graduating from Martin High School in 1944, Nathan entered the Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Westmoreland during WWII and received an honorable discharge in 1946. In 1947, Nathan married the love of his life, Lois Alfreda Graze, who he met in high school. He earned an A.A. degree from Jefferson County Community College on the G.I. Bill. In 1951, Nathan's cousin, Rev. Ernest Stonewall Brazil invited him to travel to Tacoma, Washington to seek work in the city where his younger sister, Grace Jackson, already resided. Nathan helped drive the ole Chevy, and five other cousins were packed in the car headed north (Lillie V., Bennie Mae, Betty, Maxine, and Percy). Lois and their daughters, Brenda and Phyllis, joined him two months later. Nathan and Lois completed their family with the birth of Janet and Renee. Nathan was the ultimate family man, simultaneously holding two full-time jobs for ten years to provide his family with all their wants and needs. He wanted Lois to stay home with his girls rather than work. His four girls never doubted his love and he taught them all how to swim and drive. In his daughters’ eyes ‘Daddy’ was the bright light of their world, and his grandsons and all family members adored him. After living in Tacoma for 36 years, in 1987 Nathan and Lois retired to Beaumont, but decided Pacific Northwest living was better and moved to Portland, Oregon in 1997. In 1952, Nathan was a founding Deacon of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, the second Black Baptist church in Tacoma. His name can be found on the church's cornerstone. Nathan was also a Deacon in Beaumont’s St. John Missionary Baptist Church, and a Deacon Emeritus at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, where he enjoyed singing in the Men's Chorus, the Senior Choir, the Mass Choir and teaching Sunday school. He was a member of The Brotherhood and attended Mid-Week Prayer Service. Nathan was a real people person who would rather be kind than right. He simply never met a stranger and just wanted to be “a friend to man.” Nathan loved to make people laugh (he had a joke for every occasion), delighting everyone when he turned a backwards somersault at his 80th birthday party. He loved to sit and read The Bible and the dictionary. Nathan loved all types of music and his favorite singer was Mahalia Jackson. He was a lifetime golfer, loved playing dominos, bid whist, and learned to play bridge in his retirement from Brenda. Nathan and Lois travelled to France, Spain and Italy with Janet. During a trip to Egypt and Nubia with Phyllis and Renee, he made the arduous climb to the Pharaoh's Chamber near the top of the Great Pyramid at Giza -- he was 77 years old. Nathan was a proud labor union member and worked for Northern Pacific Railroad for sixteen years (International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers), and West Coast Groceries (International Brotherhood of Teamsters) for nineteen years, retiring in 1986. He worked for his cousin Cap York’s Construction Company for ten years, becoming a skilled carpenter and house builder. Nathan and Lois purchased one of the houses he helped build as their first home.Nathan is survived by his wife of 64-3/4 years, Lois Alfreda (Graze) Jackson; four daughters: Brenda Polk (Jerome); Phyllis Jackson, Janet Jackson, Renee Brown (Kenney); two grandsons: Frelimo Mott and Marcellus Jackson; and two sisters: Mirian Alexander and Grace Briggs. Nathan also leaves a host of relatives and friends to mourn him. Nathan was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson, Robert Janisse, Jr. two sisters, Geneva Delaney and Verneda Gardner; and his brother, James Jackson. Services will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 10:00am at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, 3138 North Vancouver Avenue, Portland, OR 97227. Viewing at the church on Thursday 3:00pm–7:00pm and Friday 9:00am-9:45 am. Final resting place Willamette National Cemetery.