Kenneth “Ray” Jackson, 80, of Festus died Oct. 14, 2017, at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County. Mr. Jackson was a welder and retired from Berco Industries in St. Louis. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Born Sept. 30, 1937, in Annapolis, he was the son of the late Virginia “Dalena” (Sutton) and Nay Jackson.
He is survived by his wife: Gerlinde (Hoffman) Jackson; a daughter: Christina (Tim) Miller of Festus; two grandchildren: Anna (Kyle) Hill of De Soto and Dylan (Erica) Miller of Festus; two great-grandchildren: Cameron Lukas Hill and Ian Parker Hill; three brothers: Rodger Jackson of Herculaneum, Gary (Sue) Jackson of Herculaneum and Terry Jackson of Pevely; and four sisters: Brenda (Dave) Brickner of Festus, Sandy Medley of Crystal City, Sharon (Ed) McMunn of Cedar Hill and Delores (Mick Faifer) Jackson of De Soto.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter: Emma Maria Hill; three brothers: Nay (Anna survives of Owensville) Jackson Jr., Roy (Kay survives of Springfield) Jackson and Troy (Sue survives of Rolla) Jackson; and a sister: Virginia Basch.
A memorial gathering is at 10 a.m. and a memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at First Christian Church of Hematite, officiated by Pastor Aaron Watkins. Private inurnment will be in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.