Louis Jackson Jr.

Louis S. Jackson Jr. (Bob), 87, stepped into eternity on Aug. 9, 2013.
He was born in Perris, Calif. on Dec. 5, 1925, the son of Louis S. and Olga Marie (Smith) Jackson, Sr.
He joined the Navy in 1942 at age 17 so he could serve his country as his brothers were doing. He was a Gunner’s mate on the USS Minneapolis and fought in the Pacific theater in World War II. Upon discharge from the Navy in 1945, he came to Chelsea, where his parents had purchased a homestead. He and his brothers joined them in farming and ranching.
In August 1946, he obtained the title of “Colonel” from the American School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa. He started his career at the Sale Barn on Jones Street in El Dorado, and soon was operating his own auctions. He married Verla L. Davis Sept. 18, 1948, in El Dorado and they were devoted to one another for more than 64 years. They lived in the Chelsea area until 1978 when they moved to El Dorado. They worked side by side in the Jackson Auction and Real Estate business. He was a Realtor from 1969 until retirement.
In retirement he stayed active in ranching and auctioneering, which included his guest appearance on the opening day of the new El Dorado Livestock Auction Barn. He was honored to be asked to sell the first ring of cattle that day, and thoroughly enjoyed the moment. Little did he know that he would finish his auction career at the same place he started.
He left his family a lifetime of love and devotion, his wife Verla L. (Davis); children, Marilyn McElroy (Earl), Wichita, Casey Jackson, El Dorado, Shelley Lauber (Rick) Iola; grandchildren Dette (McElroy) Longman, Westminster, Colo., Chris McElroy, Tulsa, Okla., McKayla (Miller) Haskins, Olathe, Cameron Miller, Overland Park, Kiesha (Lauber) Richenburg, St. Paul, and Alicia (Lauber) Hasselby, Overland Park; 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents Louis S. Jackson Sr. and Olga M. (Smith), brothers, James C. Jackson, Joseph C. Jackson and sister Helen C. Evans.
Services were Aug. 14 at the First Christian Church in El Dorado. Memorials may be given to the Chelsea Volunteer Fire Department or the American Heart Association.