Taylor Funeral Home of Louisville announces the death of Mr. George Murray Jackson, Jr., age 81 of Bartow, GA, who passed away to his heavenly home at 9:21 pm on Feb. 7, 2021, at Augusta University in Augusta. He died of complications from a fall at home.  He was one of the oldest type 1 diabetics in America, having learned in his thirties (after losing his eyesight in one eye) to monitor his food intake and blood sugar carefully.  His diligent personality, wife, youngest daughter, and James Davis, a son-in-law, helped him accomplish this unusually long life here on earth.

There will be no service for him per his wishes. He also asked for no flowers, but donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with funds designated for Type 1 research (www.jdrf.org) can be made as a tribute to him and his 67 years of living with diabetes. Although he believed a cure would not come during his lifetime, he was hopeful that a cure would be found during his granddaughter’s lifetime who is also living with Type 1 diabetes. 

George Jackson grew up in South Georgia in Colquitt County. He graduated from Moultrie High School.  Afterwards, he moved to Atlanta and earned a degree first in mechanical engineering from Southern Tech and then another degree in business with an emphasis in finance at Georgia State University.  George Jackson was an avid pursuer of knowledge and a lifelong learner. This passion was evident in his many diverse job titles including cabinet maker, stockbroker, retail store supervisor, golf course lawn expert, jewelry repairman, and auditor.  He retired as Controller of Queensborough National Bank and Trust Co, Louisville, where he was known to have a very cluttered desk but claimed it was no reflection of his state of mind. His curiosity in all things led him to learn to play the piano, race cars, build tv's and furniture, follow mathematical theories, and lastly, learn how to use a smartphone so that he could hopefully be entertained by music and books while getting dialysis.  And of course, there was golf at Ogeechee Valley Country Club.

He is survived by his doting wife, Doris Jackson; his oldest and brilliant daughter Laura Jackson of Atlanta; his frank (just like him) middle daughter Melanie Roberts (Grayland Poole) of Evans, GA; his youngest daughter and beloved caretaker Donna Davis (James) of Louisville; grandson Jace Poole; and two granddaughters, Cassidy Lloyd and Sky Poole; and one great-granddaughter, Tatum Lloyd. He was preceded in death by his parents George Murray Jackson, Sr., and Doris Jones Jackson (yes, his wife and mother had the same name) and his brother Stanley Jackson, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

George Jackson will be missed by his family greatly, especially his wife.  During the first fifty years of their marriage, she took care of him.  The last decade, he took care of her, even learning to cook in their later years when she could not. He is probably best remembered for his quirky “Good after-morning” greeting, superb golf teaching abilities, and desire to share his deep revelation of God’s work in his life. Several weeks prior to his death, he shared that if he had the chance to do it all again, he would have settled in South Georgia, purchased about 400 acres of land, and enjoyed the life of a farmer. He certainly was gifted with a green thumb which had been passed down to him from his father who was blessed with the ability to grow anything. Besides wanting to be there for his wife, George wanted to find peace in all his relationships and with God before he passed into his next life. May it have been so. 

You may sign the family’s personal guestbook at www.taylorfhlouisville.com

Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Care of Louisville is in charge of arrangements.

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