MAY 25 – Retired Virginia Commissioner of Litter Control, John Vance Jackson Jr., 85, of Farmville died Thursday, May 20, 2010 in Southside Community Hospital after a short illness.

He was born January 19, 1925 in Wake Forest, NC to the late John Vance and Macie Ray Jackson. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany during World War II.

Graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in Forest Management in 1952, he worked for the Virginia Division of Forestry for 25 years. He then transferred to the newly formed Division of Litter Control from which he retired as State Commissioner. As such, he created and implemented a model program to prevent littering in Virginia and continued building this department for nine years.

Mr. Jackson was president of the Farmville Lion's Club. He served as an Elder in the Farmville Presbyterian Church and on the Administrative Board of the Zebulon Methodist Church.

He loved photography, particularly of wild flowers and birds and loved identifying plants. He enjoyed traveling, especially in the National Parks, Canada, Alaska and the Eastern Shore. As an enthusiastic gardener, Mr. Jackson was often asked to give talks to Garden Clubs and other groups. He enjoyed reading with a focus on History, and was keenly interested in listening to music of all different artists.

He was very passionate in his profession, with his family, with his hobbies and with anything that was meaningful to him. He was generous with his time and his love and was admired and respected by all who knew him.

In addition to his wife of nearly 60 years, Lazelle Jackson of Farmville, he is survived by a sister, Margie Jackson Wynne (Alfred) of Wake Forest, NC; four nieces, Kristi Jarnagin (Spencer) of Wilmington, NC, Jill Lobo (Patrick) of Nyack, NY, Phyllis Raper (Jim) of Rock Hill, SC, and Donna Wynne of San Francisco, CA; great-nieces, Luci Lobo, Anna and Samantha Jarnagin and Allison Raper. He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Jackson.

A memorial service was held Monday, May 24, in Farmville Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow later in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Memorials may be made to Prince Edward County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 87, Farmville, VA 23901, or Farmville Presbyterian Church, 200 West Third Street, Farmville, VA 23901.

Puckett Funeral Home of Farmville, VA was in charge of arrangements. www.puckettfh.com