George Hershel Jackson

George Hershel Jackson, 88, of Kingsburg CA passed away on November 18, 2024, peacefully surrounded by his loving family. George was born on October 2,1936 to Hershel and Clara Jackson in Orange Cove, California. He spent his early years on his family's farm in Kingsburg, CA with sister Alma and brothers Don and Dave. Working alongside his father sparked George's love of farming at a very early age. During his high school years, he was on the football and track teams at Kingsburg High School. Shortly after his graduation, George joined the Marines. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton and recalled his time there and the friendships made with great fondness throughout his life. He met the love of his life - Colleen (Carter) Jackson - in January 1959 and they were married on November 27th of the same year. Both he and Colleen shared the same vision of their life together: to love the Lord, to raise a God-fearing family, and to farm. These three things were the foundation of George's life, and he remained passionate about them to his final days. They wasted no time working towards their goals - son Michael George was born in August 1960, followed by another son, Brent David, in September of 1964, and daughter Susan Colleen in June of 1966. George and Colleen raised turkeys, grew cotton, row crops, stone fruit, cherries, nuts, and Apple Pears throughout the years, adapting to the changes in the agricultural industry. He had much professional success and was always innovating and implementing different designs and ideas - from his award-winning turkey barns to mechanized pruning machines for his Apple Pears. He truly loved his work. In the evenings after family dinner, you could even find him back out in the orchard around his house trying different pruning or trellising techniques. During their courtship and early years of marriage, he and Colleen also dreamed of owning a cattle ranch one day - a dream that was realized in 1975. If he wasn't at the ranch in Kingsburg, he could be found over at the cattle ranch in Cambria, caring for his herd, repairing the trails in his CAT, or inspecting and repairing fences - often with a grandson working alongside him. He and Colleen also loved to host their Bible study groups, men's prayer breakfasts, his Tennessee cousins, visiting pastors, and evangelistic partners both at the ranch and at their home. There were only two things George loved more than farming: his family and Jesus. He was a prayer warrior - especially in the years following Colleen's passing. If you came by the house to visit him, you'd often walk in on him praying, reading his Bible, or listening to worship songs or a sermon. He found great joy in seeing the church growing and strengthened, supporting many evangelistic ministries both at home and abroad throughout his life and serving on The Master's Seminary board for many years. He loved discussing what he was reading in Scripture or a point that stood out to him from the many sermons he'd listen to throughout the week. He always had a stash of sermons on cds that he would hand out to people. He and Colleen made many lifelong friendships through the ministries they supported and greatly enjoyed getting to travel and meet with these friends in person to encourage one another. In Psalm 1: 2-3, the writer reflects that "his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in season..." And in 2 Timothy 4:2, to "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction." George characterized both passages in his love of the entirety of scripture, his quickness to turn to the Word, or to God in prayer for guidance, and to pass along what he had learned from both to his children and grandchildren. He often stated how thankful he was to the Lord that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were also walking with the Lord. George was preceded in death by his beloved Colleen, parents Hershel & Clara Jackson, sister-in-law Pat Jackson, and brother-in-law Jonathan Peterson. He is survived by son Mike and wife Lori, son Brent and wife Marlene, and daughter Susan and husband John Diepersloot. His twelve grandchildren and their spouses: Ryan & Amy, Matt & Tawny, Janelle & Brody, Greg & Audry, Jillian, Brittany & Cody, Jake & Kathryn, Heidi, Kyle & Annie, Zack & Saskia, Caleb & Jenna, and Kristina & Grant. His 38 great-grandchildren: Madison & husband Jason, Owen, Carter, Amos, Ainsley, Brylie, Jace, Stetson, Wyatt, Bailey, Gunner, Lane, Davis, Brooklyn, Ayla, Goldie, Scout, Adley, Jax, Gerrit, Lottie, Clayton, Arrow, Kambell, Tatum, Adelaide, Arabella, Everleigh, Judah, Oaklee, Ireland, Mabel, Luke, Walker, Dustin, Talon, Titus, and Nelly. He was overjoyed to know the next generation - his first great-great grandchild, will be arriving in 2025. He is also survived by sister Alma and husband Paul Sweeney, brother Don and wife Jo, brother David and wife Gail, and sister-in-law Shirleen Jones, all of Kingsburg. A viewing will take place on Sunday December 1st from 2:00-5:00 pm at Salser & Dillard Creighton Chapel. Services will take place on Monday December 2nd: Graveside at 9:00 am at the Kingsburg Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life service at Grace Church of the Valley at 10:30 am with a lunch reception to follow. Remembrances can be made to: Grace Church of the Valley TMS Scholarship Fund 1101 Marion St, Kingsburg, CA 93631 or Immanuel High School Scholarship Fund In Honor of George Jackson 1128 S Reed, Reedley, CA 93654 Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Creighton Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

George Hershel Jackson

October 2, 1936 - November 18, 2024