Charles Robert Jackson

Charles R. “Bob” Jackson, 77 years old, died March 22, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family after an extended illness. The former Muncie resident moved to Weslaco, Texas 10 years ago with wife, Karen K. Hoover Jackson, and their daughter, Connie Sue Jackson, both also formerly of Muncie. After retiring from his job at Ball State University as Heat Plant Supervisor, they all decided to live together with their older daughter, Sharon K. (Elio) Esquivel, formerly of Muncie, and escape the winters of Indiana for the warm weather of South Texas.

Bob was a very loving and devoted husband and father. Bob and his wife Karen just celebrated their 51st Wedding Anniversary on March 8th of this year. After meeting each other on a blind date at a New Year’s Eve party, Bob and Karen were inseparable. Bob was very proud of his eldest daughter Sharon graduating from Ball State with her teaching degree and helping her relocate to Weslaco for her job. Bob also was very proud of his youngest daughter Connie graduating from Ball State who eventually became his caregiver who he appreciated and loved dearly, too.

Bob was a hard worker all his life who started out in his youth on neighboring farms. He worked for his Uncle Jim Reynolds’s electrical company and Pepsi Cola. He graduated Yorktown High School in 1956. He joined the Air Force and became an air policeman, serving four years overall—most memorable being his two years in Okinawa. Returning home to Muncie, Bob worked for Stevenson Trucking and then ADT as a security guard. He was hired at Ball State University in the Heat Plant, eventually working himself up to a power engineer and receiving a certificate of training from the Cleveland Institute of Electronics. He was promoted to supervisor with an office of his own on campus, retiring after an impressive 37 years of service. He was also an active member of the National Association of Power Engineers in Muncie. Bob was dedicated to his job, memorably staying on campus at the Student Center the week of the Blizzard of 1978, working around the clock to keep the heat running on campus and at Ball Memorial Hospital.

Bob never met a stranger. He always had a story or joke on hand to tell. His hobbies included motorcycling, target shooting, travelling, and dining out, especially Mexican food. His activities included bowling leagues and later on The Optimist Club. He was also a member of Fairlawn Church of Christ in Muncie, where he served as a deacon, and Bridge Avenue Church of Christ in Weslaco.

Born in Muncie to the late Charles H. and Lavina Reynolds Jackson, Bob was the eldest of five children. He is survived by his brother David (Jackie) Jackson of Bloomington, Indiana; his sister Marilyn (Wayne) Cheatham of Muncie, Indiana; his sister Beverly (Jim) Stewart of Indianapolis, Indiana; and his sister Verna (Loyd) Hillery of Yorktown, Indiana. He was also preceded in death by father-in-law and mother-in-law Glenn F. and Ada Burns Hoover. He is survived by his in-laws, Jack (Joyce) Hoover of Medford, Oregon; Nancy (Charles) Dowling of Columbus, Ohio; and Michael (Kathy) Hoover of Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was especially loved as Uncle Bob to his nephews and nieces: Tim Jackson, Kim Dowling, Dennis (Jill) Jackson, Lori (Scott) Guercio, Tammy (Andy) Parker, Wendy (Mitch) Goeddel, Julie (Greg) Murray, Jeff (Michele) Hillery, Teresa Cheatham, Tim (Joan) Hoover, and Kristy (Josh) Hammer; as well as his great nephews and nieces: Ryan Jackson, Curtis (Rachiel) Gibson, Stephen Goeddel, Brandon Cheatham, Melanie Goeddel, Kyle Gibson, Andrew Hopwood, Jennifer Hefflin, Wesley Murray, Alex Hillery, Cooper Murray, Christina Toro, Katie Gibson, Claire Jackson, Audrey Jackson, Drew Parker and Jadyn Hammer.


In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the hospice of your choice.


“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Romans 8:38 & 39