Dr. Calvin Conrad Jackson, 89 of Fairbury, passed away at 11:07 pm, Monday, November 18, 2024, at OSF St. James-John Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac.
A memorial service will be held at 11am, Monday, November 25, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church of Fairbury with Pastor Paul Wier officiating. Burial will follow with full military funeral honors at Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury.
Visitation will be from 2 to 5 pm, Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society or Maggie’s Rose, 333 CR 1100 North Rd. Seymor, IL 61875 (Cystic Fibrosis).
Dr. Jackson was born on August 13, 1935, in Virden, IL; the son of Cleo and Pauline (Guthrie)Bullock-Jackson. He married Veva Freeman on March 9th, 1956. His wife, Veva, survives in Fairbury. His parents and two sisters preceded him in death.
Survivors include his three children, Scott (Rita) Jackson of Philo; Mark (Linda) Jackson of Champaign; Lisa (Dan) Thames of Bloomington; ten adored grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
Calvin served our country in the United States Army from 1955-1958, then continued his service as a member of the Illinois National Guard for 20 years, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. A lifelong educator, Dr. Jackson served as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent, including 18 years as superintendent at Fairbury-Cropsey and Prairie Central Schools in Fairbury, IL.
Calvin was a member of many civic and educational organizations as well as an active member of the United Methodist church. Calvin served his community as a lay minister, member of the Rotary Club, Board of Directors for the Prairie Lands Foundation and Fairbury United Fund to name a few of the many organizations he served.
Dr. Jackson was widely known as one of the State’s foremost authorities on school finance and served Illinois education as a legislative liaison for the Illinois Association of School Business Officials after retiring from his career in public education.
Calvin married his high school sweetheart, Veva, and were happily married for 68 years and will always be remembered for his undying devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid fan of University of Illinois football and basketball and attended as a season ticket holder for nearly 50 years. He was a kind, caring, “firm but fair” person who touched countless lives in many ways and positively impacted the lives of all those that have known him.
