John K. Jackson

John Kennedy Jackson, 61 year old resident of Forada, MN died as a result of a heart attack and went to be with Jesus on Saturday, December 31, 2022. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM on Friday at Lake Community Church in Alexandria. This will be the only time public viewing will be held as a private burial will take place Saturday morning prior to service. A gathering of family & friends will be from 10 to 11 AM on Saturday with a Celebration Of Life to be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Lake Community Church in Alexandria, MN with Rev. Jon Ewton officiating. John Kennedy Jackson was born to Frank and Prudy Jackson in Morris, MN, the fourth of eight children. The family moved to Alexandria, MN when John was in 5th grade and he graduated from Jefferson High school in 1979. After high school, John attended NDSU and then went on to work for his parents at Alexandria Diesel. He then spent the majority of his career as a forester where he took great pride in helping develop and plant hybrid poplar plantations though out the State of Minnesota. John spent the last several years as a groundskeeper at Arrowwood. John met the love of his life, Sandy Raap, in high school and was joined in marriage on November 24, 1984. They were blessed with 38 wonderful years of marriage. In 1989, they gave birth to their son, Zach, followed by the birth of Luke in 1994. In 2009, John and Sandy felt called to adoption and embraced Victoria, Brianna, Johnny, and Mikey into their family as their very own. John absolutely loved all that life had to offer and lived it to the fullest. He went above and beyond to include his family in many outdoor activities including snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, gardening, golfing and spending time at the cabin. Most evenings John could be found smoking his pipe and fishing for walleyes in his pontoon or fish house. Recently in life, his greatest joy was to love and spend time with his seven grandkids and he was looking forward to the upcoming birth of two more. He always seemed to have them riding with him in the golf cart as they putzed around the yard. One of John’s greatest traits was his love for people. He had a multitude of friends that he absolutely cherished in life. His caring heart and generosity towards others touched many lives. Although John’s passing has left a hole in the lives of all that knew him, we do not have to grieve without hope. John’s simple but steadfast faith in Jesus assures us that we as believers will see him again! Until then, we will cherish all of the wonderful memories that we have with him. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sandy; children, Zach and his wife, Chloe, Luke and his wife, Nicole, Victoria, Brianna and her husband, Hunter, Johnny, and Mikey; grandchildren, Joey, Ozzy, Liberty, Izaiah, Lizzy, Jedd, and Gracie Mae; parents, Frank and Prudy; siblings, Julie (Wally), Jerry (JoAnn), Joy, Jill, Jeff (Karen), Jim, Jo (Steve); in-laws, Jan (Mark), Cammie (Andy); and many beloved nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Jerry and Willie Raap; and niece, Marrissa.

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John K. Jackson

April 18, 1961 - December 31, 2022