Kenneth Vance Jackson

Kenneth Vance Jackson, 93, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2023 in Harlingen, Texas.  He was born to Ray Cleon Jackson and Jennie McNiece Jackson on March 20, 1930 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Kenneth graduated from McNeece State College in Lake Charles, Louisiana with a B.A. in Business Administration.  He proudly served his country in Korea and upon returning home as a 1st Lieutenant, U.S Army Reserve. After graduation he joined the foreign service where he worked for the United States Information Service. His many posts included Vienna, Austria; Saigon, Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand; New Delhi, India and Rome, Italy. Kenneth worked for and retired from the U.S.IS. as CEO.  He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Shriners Hospital for Children, the Harlingen Country Club, and SBA-SCORE.

Kenneth was an avid golfer. As a young boy he developed his love of the game while working as a caddy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Golf course, Brickyard Crossing.  An avid reader, he was an enthusiast follower of U.S. and World History.  He continued to keep abreast of current political events, which he enjoyed discussing with friends and family.  In addition to his many overseas posts, he was a seasoned world traveler.  He also enjoyed giving back to his community and though he didn’t talk about it, he was a generous philanthropist.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Thea Bodmer Jackson; his brother, Byron K. Jackson; his sister, Norma Malcolm; his sister-in-law, Mary Ester Jackson, and his brother-in-law, Don Malcolm.

Left to treasure Kenneth’s memory are his loving children, Barbara Ann Jackson Jewel (Tom), Richard Allen Jackson (Karen) and Paul Vance Jackson and his grandson, Paul Francis Jackson.  Locally he leaves behind his close friends, Garnett and Rayma Causey, Earl and Dari Gail Adams, Hildegarde Skaggs, Bill Werley Sr. and his family and everyone at Harlingen Country Club. He will also be missed by Marianne Bodmer, Helen and Dave Barnes, Frank and Mookie Gatzka, Len Baldyga, Som Berry, and many other friends he and his wife Thea made during his overseas posts with USIS.  Back in Indiana he will be missed by Florence and Bill McNiece as well as Denny Heiman (who was a great friend to Kenneth) and his family.

Kenneth’s family wishes to thank his caregivers, Mary Garcia, Jennifer Gresham and her husband Les whom were also good friends.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Saturday, July 29, 2023 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home with a Celebration of Life at 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kenneth’s memory may be made to any of the following: Mary Ester and Dr. Byron Jackson Scholarship Fund at Fairmont State Foundation, Inc.; South Texas Junior Golf Classic Inc.; Shriners Hospitals for Children, or the Paralyzed Veterans of America.