John P. Jackson, 49, of rural Woonsocket died Friday morning April 25, 2014 at his residence.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, April 28 at St. Wilfrid Catholic Church, Woonsocket, with Fr. Jim Friedrich officiating. A rosary and wake service were held Monday at the church.
John was born on April 30, 1964, in Wessington Springs to Darrel and MaryAnn Jackson into a family that would eventually grow into 12 children.
After graduating from Wessington Springs High School in 1981, John attended the University of Minnesota in Mankato, Minn., for computer science. After a year and a half at the University of Minnesota, John came back to work with his brothers on the farm.  He devoted the rest of his life to the farm.
John was known as the guy who liked his Cenex food, the serious poker player who occasionally let others win, teaching his many nieces and nephews how to play checkers, how to love the land, and how to play Nintendo, and as a loyal brother and friend who lived his faith in humble service, quiet strength and hidden acts of love.
John enjoyed fishing at the Jim River, tending to newborn calves, watching Westerns and driving his payloader in reverse to annoy people with the beeper. John was never in a rush, always good for a slow drive on a gravel road.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Jackson; his brothers, Steve, Kelly, Tim and wife, Laura, and Travis and wife, Karen; sisters, Mary, and husband, Bill, Sandy and husband, Mike,  Lori and husband, Bob, Linda and husband, Tim, and Michelle and husband, Jeff; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Darrel Jackson; sister, Rita Kubal; brother, Mark; and niece, Jennifer.