Okey Sillon Jackson, age 74 of Jacksboro, Tennessee passed away peacefully December 4, 2017 at the University of Tennessee Medical Center after an extended illness.

 Born in Gad, West Virginia on February 10th, 1943. Okey was the son of Wilmer and Beulah Jackson who along with his sister, Mertie and one nephew, preceded him in death.

 He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carolyn Marsh Jackson whom he married July 16, 1965, He is also survived by two sons, Rustin of Lafollette, Tennessee, and Morgan of Jacksboro, Tennessee and three grandsons, Tyler (and Destiny) of Jacksboro, Tennessee, Garrett of Chapmanville, West Va. and Evan of Jacksboro, Tennessee,

He is also survived by his siblings, Wilmer Eugene, Charles (and Sandy), Janie, (and Denver Danberry) and Eva (and LeRoy Henshaw), nine nephews, three nieces, and a host of relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

Okey received a Bachelor of Industrial Technology from Berea College, Berea, Kentucky in June of 1966 and a Masters of Fine Arts in Ceramics from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California in June of 1968.

Okey taught at Santa Barbara Art Institute in Santa Barbara, California, and after leaving California, owned and operated Conjun Laboratory, Inc, a water and soil lab in Prestonsburg, Ky.  While working for Mountain Comprehensive Care in Prestonsburg, KY, Okey set up a sheltered work shop for special needs adults.

He and Carolyn achieved the Emerald level of Distributorship in Amway,

In Jacksboro they bought lakefront property and a sawmill and Okey designed and built their home and a guest house.

They operated Canaan, a group home/ therapeutic foster home for adolescent boys in Jacksboro, Tennessee for eleven years.  

Among the many boys from Canaan who continue to call Okey Dad, are Brian Martain, , Barry Dile,  Ralph Varvaro Nathan Holder, Casey Harvey, Chris Stamey, Chris Thomas and Isiah Williams.

Many years ago, Okey made the decision to have his body donated to science.  In accordance with his wishes his body was delivered to anatomy Gifts Registry in Hanover, Maryland.   

Okey’s family would like to invite his friends and family to join them for a Celebration of Okey’s Life at the Lafollette Church of God, 1906 Jacksboro Pike, Lafollette, Tennessee on December 16th, at 2:00 PM.   Leading the Celebration of Life for Okey Jackson will be longtime Pastor and friend, Greg Causey from Strawberry Plains, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, Okey’s family would appreciate a written memory of Okey and ask that you join them in the Life Center of the church after the Celebration.

Obituary  by  Martin Wilson Funeral Home “Where families matter most”