Funeral services for Arthur Michael Jackson, age 79 of Calhoun, LA will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Owens Memorial Chapel in Ruston, LA with Pastor Ricky Baker officiating.  Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Calhoun, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Arthur Michael Jackson, "Mike," was born February 27, 1943 in Columbus, GA and passed away May 16, 2022 in Calhoun, LA.

Daddy was born to Arthur Ollins Jackson "Jack" of Columbus, GA and Marjorie Carmelita Eugenie Kuntz of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Born in Columbus, GA with a full head of curls, Dad was a man who loved learning and was a natural born teacher. As a baby, he won Columbus' Prettiest Baby Award. At the age of three, Daddy informed Grandma that he was off to see the world. He packed his little suitcase and made two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Dad made it less than three blocks before he ate his sandwiches and tearfully returned home. From that day, our grandmother knew that Dad would someday explore the world.

In his youth, Dad was Columbus Boys Club Boy of the Year as he was interested in everything from Golden Gloves boxing to archery, baseball, football, poetry, writing, literature, painting/drawing, ceramics, history, soapbox derby races, dancing, and more. Dad chose to go to top ranked Columbus High School as he loved to learn in all subjects. Dad grew up knowing the value of hard work as he pitched in at Grandpa's grocery store —delivering groceries, stocking shelves, and learning the trade. His favorite Christmas memory was the gift of an orange after Grandpa's store had burned to the ground. Dad graduated from Columbus High in 1961.

Daddy always minimized his football career—stating it got him into Troy University and that the Red Wave launched his future. Dad and his brother Doug always said that the reason they were on the Troy football team was because they raised the GPA average. During exams, Dad and his brother were the only players allowed to leave the dorm and wander around and off campus. Both he and Doug played Offensive and Defensive Linesman for Troy. After a football ending injury, Dad became the Manager and Trainer for the Troy Red Wave. Dad would graduate from Troy University in 1966 with a Triple Major—Sociology, English, and World History.

Dad grew up in a loving home chaired by a "backslidden" Baptist father and an excommunicated Roman Catholic mother. (Grandma had been excommunicated for marrying outside her faith.) When the church burned down the night before Grandpa and Grandma's wedding, they took it as a sign and decided not to focus on organized religion within their family. As a result, Dad grew up an atheist for many years. Within his heart, Dad always wanted to be of service to others. Consequently, three days after graduating from Troy, Dad informed his family that he had joined the Peace Corps and would be part of the first Peace Corps Group to be sent to South Korea. Within days he reported for training in Hawaii where he was thrilled to learn Koreans use both a spoon and chopsticks. Part of the first group of volunteers ever sent to South Korea, Dad had an experience no other group had—he was housed at the Vice Mayor's home and taught at Busan Commercial High School for Boys during 1966-1968, an all-male prep school in Busan. After his years of service, Dad planned to return to Columbus, GA and change the world by entering politics.

God had different plans for Daddy though and in October 1966, our homesick father visited the Salvation Army Church in Busan, S Korea. Dad's senior student Kuang, Ju Song had been assigned to acclimate Dad to Korea and accompanied Dad to the church. Jong Rye, our mother, was in the choir and noticed the foreigner visiting her church. Dad would meet Mom later that week as Dad, Ju Song, and Mom were riding the same city bus. Ju Song noticed Dad looking at Mom, a South Korean beauty, and arranged an introduction. They happened to be on the same bus as Dad wanted a hymnal and the Christian book store and Mom's embroidery store happened to be on the same block. Dad needed a Korean tutor and Mom wanted an English teacher as she was going to England to be a Salvation Army officer so Mom and Dad began to meet for lessons with Ju Song as their chaperone. Together they began to attend South Busan Presbyterian Church as Dad's student was Presbyterian. Dad had fallen in love with Mom at first sight and proposed on their 3rd meeting as he had read that traditional Korean matchmaking custom allowed for a suitor's proposal after three visits together. Mom quickly informed him that she had no interest in marriage—she only needed English lessons! After half a year, Pastor Han, Myeong Dong told Mom that God had given her Dad for her husband. Dad would go on to win Mom's heart and Mom and Dad married on April 15, 1968. Dad would then adopt Song Jong Suk, Mom's little sister, and Suki Emo (Aunt Suk) was raised as our older sister.

Hoping to stay in her native land, Mom asked Dad to find a job locally. So, Dad joined the US Department of State as a civilian in 1968 and would have a teaching career in DODDS — Department of Defense Dependent Schools. While stationed at Hialeah American High School at Camp Hialeah in Busan, S Korea., daughters Linda and Micheal "Michelle" were born plus Dad would earn his Masters from Auburn University in 1970 over three summers. Daddy had prayed for girls, and he was blessed with three daughters to love and cherish. No matter where we were in the world, he made sure we returned to Columbus, GA each summer to spend time with our beloved grandparents. It was also a chance to enjoy Georgia peaches and watermelon, grits, and biscuits and gravy.

In1972, Dad was stationed at Hahn Junior High in Hahn AFB, Germany and our family lived in Buch, Germany. Our family has beloved memories of enjoying weekend forest and mountain walks, fishing in well stocked lakes, buying cheese from farmers by the side of the road, listening to oompapa bands and visiting innumerable castles and museums. We're sure Europeans remember us as well as our family drove all over Germany and the continent in a VW with Micheal's potty chair strapped to the top! During our time in Europe, Mom converted Dad to Christianity. In 1975, Dad was stationed to Kubasaki High School, Okinawa, Japan. As a result, Daddy's girls would grow up on three continents. Our family enjoyed cherry blossom and full moon festivals, vertical shopping malls, Shuri Castle, Expo 75, and many trips to gorgeous beaches. We recall countless potlucks at our home and holidays shared with homesick Americans of every race —military and civilian expats. While in Japan, Dad received a Doctorate in Education Curriculum and Administration from the University of South California in 1981. He also enjoyed being a part time Lecturer for the University of Maryland during those years. To their collective woe, many a student can recall Dr. Jackson's love of puns. Throughout Dad's DODDS career, he coached football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track. Daddy always devoted time to his students and players and hoped they would realize that life is built on relationships—whether with God, family, oneself, friends, teachers, coworkers, and even strangers one meets every day.

In 1982, our family moved to the States as Dad became a Professor at Gateway College in St Louis. Since Mom converted Dad to Christianity in Germany, he had gone on to be a minister in home churches in Okinawa. Later Dad was a Pastor in Clayton, St Louis and in 1989 a Teaching Pastor in Columbus, GA. Ultimately, Dad decided to earn a Masters of Divinity with languages Hebrew and Greek from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1994. That year in June Dad and Mom were commissioned as SBC IMB missionaries to East Asia. He would be a professor at two East Asian Universities. Later Dad became an IMB Strategic coordinator for East Asia. Then in Oct 2009 Dad moved to South Korea as Overseas East Asia Strategic Coordinator. Dad cofounded Set Mission International in 2010 and retired from SBC IMB in 2015. He and Mom then set up retirement outside of Seoul, S Korea with an orchard full of fruit trees and beds of roses. Overall, Dad lived/worked/conferenced throughout the world. In North America— St Louis, Mo, Columbus, Ga, and Dallas Fort Worth, Texas. In Asia—-Japan, Okinawa, S Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, and East Asia. In Europe—Germany, France, Holland, Belgium. In Africa—Republics of Burundi and Uganda, In India—city of Calcutta. In the Middle East—Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Greece. In all, Dad has traveled to over 30 countries. Though he dined with heads of state, generals, leaders, and religious leaders of various countries, Dad never forgot where he came from and was a friend to anyone, always curious about his fellow travelers on Earth.

This spring, Mom and Dad traveled from South Korea to the Holy Land for their 53rd anniversary. As they dined by the Sea of Galilee—Dad was already quite frail. Dad and Mom then came home to the United States as we knew his end was near. Dad died in hospice at his daughter's home in Calhoun, Louisiana. During this time, Daddy was surrounded by his wife, three daughters, his brother, and his grandson who loved and took care of him till his last breath. Daddy died peacefully in bed just after we all sang Amazing Grace—his favorite hymn. We are grateful for the compassionate and loving care Louisiana Hospice provided for Dad.

Dad was not a vain man, but we think he would like everyone to know that he still had a full head of silvery curls. We believe that in heaven he will finally be able to carry a tune as church choir directors always reminded our father that choirs are always in need of an audience. In memory of our beloved Father, please give your loved ones an extra hug today.