Jacob Anthony Jackson

Dr. Jacob Anthony Jackson died on June 20,2024, in Oregon. He was born in Palo Alto, California to Melodie and Michael Jackson, who survive him along with his four brothers and sister, Gordon, Michael, Peter, Roy, and Katrinka. His twenty nieces and nephews were very dear to him, as he was to them. He is remembered especially for his cheery disposition and happy smile. His family and colleagues both recall his willingness to help out and go the extra mile. That willingness to help others translates to patients requesting assignment to him and colleagues regretting his absence.


A graduate of Astoria High School, he went on to attend Texas A&M, Galveston and earn a BA degree with Honors in Spanish from Western Oregon University. Qualifying as an EMT fostered a desire to do more in that field and he earned is MD from the American University of the Caribbean in St. Maarten after doing rotations in New Orleans, Ireland, and Detroit. He was Senior Resident for a time during his residency at Riverside, California. Upon arrival in New Orleans, he found that all hotel reservations were cancelled to house refugees from Hurricane Katrina. Perforce, as a prepared Eagle Scout, he bought a tent from Walmart and camped (in the rain) until housing was available.


After working several years with Kaiser-Permanente, he moved to locum work, that allowed him to travel all over the world in his spare time. Recently considering a more permanent position in Salem, a higher authority seems to have made an offer he could not refuse. He died near Buena Vista, Oregon, after a collision between a cable-ferry and his kayak. He was an expert swimmer and scuba diver. He had dived in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific.


Jacob enjoyed playing and watching tennis, spending time with family, travel, hiking, camping, and any water sport. An avid board game player he always asked, “do you want to play a game?” A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served a mission in the Dominican Republic. His desire to help others, bring laughter, and support his medical and family communities will be missed.


Funeral services will be June 29 at 11 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 783 Church St W, in Monmouth, Oregon. Interment will be at Fircrest Cemetery. Arrangements are by Farnstrom Mortuary. (FarnstromMortuary.com)
https://zoom.us/j/97526003756