James “Jimmy” G. Jackson, 81, of Taylorsville, N.C., passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025, at Catawba Valley Living at Rock Barn in Claremont, N.C. He was born March 4, 1944, in Syracuse, N.Y., the son of the late Carlyle Biddle Jackson and Olive May Garrett.

Jimmy proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. He retired from the Army Reserves. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he served in the Lunch Buddy Outreach Program, sang in the choir and served on the witness committee.

Jimmy volunteered for the Red Cross. He coached softball when his children were younger, was an avid motorcyclist, hunter, and fisherman, and he enjoyed bird feeding. He loved going to diners and having chocolate milkshakes. He loved people and was friendly to all and made friends everywhere he went.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Danny Hart, and a brother, Richard Clark Jackson.

Those left to cherish and honor his memories include his wife, Betty McKay Jackson of the home; his daughters, Caroly Lynn Turo, Tina Kluesner (Dan), and Julie Bestul (Dustin), all of New York, Nicole Jackson of Colorado, and Robyn Meagher (Greg) of Monroe, N.C.; his brother, Robert “Bobby” Jackson (Chris) of New York; 17 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three nieces; and a number of other family members and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Taylorsville with full military honors accorded by the United States Army Honor Guard. Rev. Joel Simpson will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Benevolence Committee. Condolences may be sent to www.adamsfunerals.com.

Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to be serving the family of James “Jimmy” G. Jackson.