June 30, 1944 - March 29, 2020
Lawrence Allan Jackson, known as Allan to most, was born June 30, 1944 in Danville, IL to Pat and Larry Jackson. He lived in the small town of Chaneyville, IL until his family moved to Spokane, WA when he was in the 6th grade. He graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1962 and joined the Marine Corps in October the same year as a Combat Engineer. - After serving in the military he lived in Hollywood, CA with some of his Marine buddies, who introduced him to a girl from Danville, IL. After some showing off for her which included riding a motorcycle he didn’t know how to drive up a shrub and the side of a house, she agreed to go out with him. He married that girl from Illinois, June Irene Norwell. Later, in a Patriarchal blessing, he was told that his marriage to June was destined to be. Together they had six kids: Amy, Sarah, Seth, Hannah, Rebecca and Simon, who passed away at 3 months old. - Allan worked as a civil engineer for the State of Washington Department of Transportation for 34 years, retiring in 2002. He was known by his coworkers as the guy who always played rock & roll from his office. He loved taking the family on drives and pointing out his various work projects around town. After retirement from WSDOT, he was hired as the documentation engineer on the Monroe Street Bridge restoration project. - He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joining in high school so he could play on the church basketball team. Through good friendships and with the faith of his wife, Allan gained a testimony and he and June were sealed for time and eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple in April of 1974. He attended the 2nd ward where he served as a counselor in the bishopric. Later, he served as Bishop from 1984-1989 in the 7th ward. He also served in the Stake Presidency of the North Spokane Stake. Allan and June served a mission together as managers of the Bishop’s Storehouse. Despite his social anxiety, he was a gifted public speaker and provided counseling to many people over the years. - Early in their marriage, Allan gave June money and instructions to buy furniture for their new home. Upset that he wouldn’t go shopping with her, she returned with a new piano, even though no one in the house played. That non-traditional shopping method continued, with Mother’s Day bringing June a nice drill and circular saw and for Father’s Day Allan would receive a new set of pots and pans (the most expensive she could find). - There was always music playing just slightly too loud in his car, and everyone who visited was treated to mini concerts where he would place them between two of his big box speakers so you could get the full effect. He had shelves of record albums that were later replaced with a wall of over 2,000 CDs, mostly classic rock but supremely eclectic. He loved watching his Cubs play baseball on his giant TV, playing board games, his Monday Pinochle parties, and disappearing at family dinners when the crowd got too much. June summed it up best when she said his life consisted of 3 things: family, church, and work. - His family is saddened for the time they won’t get with him but consider it a deep blessing for the importance of family he bestowed, his sharp wit and sage advice. He is survived by his loving wife, June (Norwell) Jackson. Children: Amy Jackson, Sarah (Chauncy) Welliver, Seth Jackson, Hannah (Sean) McConnell, Rebecca (Joe) Edwards. His mother Agnes Patricia (Young) Jackson and his siblings: Steve (Terry) Jackson, Kathy (Roy) Powell, Scott Jackson, Bruce Jackson and seven grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Jackson and his last child Simon Jackson. - Due to current events there will be no funeral services. We would like to thank the staff of Sacred Heart hospital and all the friends and family that have sent well wishes.
