Army Master Sergeant (Ret.) Freddie “Fred” Robert Jackson, 79, of Lake Kiowa, Texas passed away on August 4, 2023, after a brief illness. He was born in Spruce Pine, North Carolina on November 7, 1943, to Fred O. and Violet Jackson (McGaughey). The youngest of three children, he enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from High School in 1961.

His military service took him around the world twice including service in Vietnam for which he was awarded the Bronze Star. His initial aspirations of being a field medic were superseded by his ability to train and organize others. At his retirement in 1984 he found himself in the role of Senior Personnel NCO (75Z50). However, he did not stay away from the Army long. In 1993, he returned as a Department of Defense civilian until he retired again – this time for good – in 2006.

Fred was an avid golfer and complained in recent years that many of his buddies kept passing away making it harder to get out on the links. Something tells us that he won’t have any trouble putting together a quality foursome on the other side.

His time stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco led to him being a die-hard 49ers and Giants fan. He was a lover of the outdoors, Miller Genuine Draft beer and baseball hats. His family declared him the “World’s Greatest Master Griller” for his steaks and burgers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Jackie and sister Linda Jean.

Fred is survived by his wife Patricia “Patti” Jackson; his son Commander Jack W. Jackson (USCG, Ret.) and wife Carin; son Gary Jackson; and his daughter Melissa Morris and her husband Stephen. He is also survived by five grandchildren (Lee, Anthony, Madelyn, Kellett and Ryan); two great-grandchildren (Brayden and Madysen) as well as his nephews, Jeff (Kami) and Greg (Tammy) Swinney and their children; Ryan, Bailey, Jake, Will, Audrey and Lauren. He also leaves behind his three dachshunds (Gretchen, Abby and Poopsey-Lou) who will also miss him terribly.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. ln lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Fred’s honor to the Lake Kiowa Men’s Golf Association or to Home Hospice of Cook County.