COOPERSTOWN – James Elwood Jackson, a retired New York State Trooper and World War II veteran, passed away Saturday night, December 8, 2018, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. He was 93.
Born February 15, 1925, in Endicott, he was the only child of Raymon James Jackson and Elizabeth J. Cass Jackson. Immediately after graduating from Owego Free Academy, James enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country during World War II, first aboard a merchant marine vessel and then on a battleship.
Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the military, James returned home and entered the field of law enforcement. He first served with the Owego Police Department, and then in 1956 he entered the New York State Police Academy. He went on to serve as a New York State Trooper with Troop C in Richfield Springs until his retirement. After living in Toddsville, he moved to Apalachin where he made his home until his recent illness.
For many years, James was a member of the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7128 in Cooperstown and served as Commander from 1969-1970. Through the years he was also active in the Masonic Fraternity. Raised on April 19, 1950, in Friendship Lodge No. 153, Free & Accepted Masons in Owego, he affiliated in 1965 with Otsego Lodge No. 138, F. & A.M. in Cooperstown, and served that Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1972.
He will be greatly missed by his family, which includes a daughter, Sherry L. Bass & husband, Christopher, of Christian Hill, Cooperstown; two sons, Raymon J. Jackson of Apalachin and Mark Jackson and Karla Harding of Speedsville; two grandchildren, Jillian Elizabeth Bass and Adam Jackson; four great grandchildren, Michael Samuel Bass, Aiden James Field, Gabriel Franklin Field and Jace Eric Field; and his former wife, Phyllis Higgins Estes and husband, Steven of Oneonta.
He was predeceased by his father, Raymon James Jackson (September 1931); his mother, Elizabeth J. Talbot (March 13, 1974); his stepfather, Donald R. Talbot (January 25, 1976); a 6-year-old son, Michael John Jackson (April 25, 1966); and a granddaughter, Jessica Kendra Bass (July 10, 2002).
In accordance with the family's wishes, there will be no services.
For those who wish to honor James’ life, memorial donations may be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820 or the Cooperstown Fire Department, PO Box 1, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
