James Wesley Jackson

On January 9, 2026, Jim Jackson went to be with Jesus. While we are saddened that he is no longer with us, we rejoice knowing that he is no longer in pain and is now in Heaven.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Mary Deane Jackson; his mother, Ollie Dean Jackson; and his father, Wesley Pearson Jackson.

He is survived by his loving wife of two years, Suzanne Jackson; his daughter, Laura Wilson and husband Dusty, and their children Abby, Maddie, and Andrew; his son, Jay Jackson and wife Karen, and their children Evie and Wes; his sister, Gloria Rinker, and her husband Mike Rinker; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.

James Wesley Jackson was born on August 18, 1952, in Ennis, Texas, to Wesley Pearson Jackson and Ollie Dean Jackson. He attended Ennis High School, where he was all-region in both band and choir, and graduated in 1970. Jim enlisted in the Air Force in January of 1972 and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Deane, on June 22, 1973. They moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where he was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base and was promoted to Drum Major of the 761st Air Force Band. In 1975, they moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he became Drum Major for the Air Force Academy Band.

While in Wichita Falls, Jim attended First Baptist Church, where he learned the music ministry from Neil Darnell. From there, he became Music Director at Eden Hills Baptist Church and later served as Interim Music Director at Fairway Baptist Church. He then returned to First Baptist Church before moving to Colorado.

In 1981, they moved to Killeen, Texas, where Jim worked as a manager at the Zondervan Bookstore before becoming Minister of Music at Memorial Baptist Church. While at Memorial, he and Mary Deane started a Deaf ministry.

In 1984, Jim attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in 1988. They then moved to Waco, Texas, where he attended Baylor University for graduate school and obtained his Master of Music. While in Waco, he served as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church.

In 1989, they moved to Uvalde, Texas, where Jim served as Minister of Music and Senior Adults for many years. In 1993, he answered the call to serve as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Corsicana, Texas. In 1997, they moved to Pasadena, Texas, where he served as Minister of Music at Memorial Baptist Church. In 2000, they returned to First Baptist Church Uvalde, where he served for many years before finally settling in Bryan, Texas, in 2016. There, he served as Minister of Senior Adults until his retirement in 2020. At each place he served, Jim made many lifelong friends and shared his love of Jesus with everyone he met.

You would think that he would take it easy after retirement, but no. Jim remained as busy, if not more so, staying active in the church, teaching Sunday School, recording audiobooks, visiting his grandchildren, traveling, and going to Aggie games.

After losing his beloved Deanie in 2022, he met Suzanne Turner, and they found comfort and joy in each other through their shared love of Jesus. They married on August 13, 2023, and spent meaningful years traveling, spending time with friends and family, and sharing their love of the Lord with everyone they met along the way.

Jim was always a joy to be around for friends and family, cracking jokes and filling the room with his laughter. He loved to sing, and his beautiful baritone voice carried throughout the room. He was a long-time member of the Singing Men of South Texas and the Broadman Singers. Jim also loved to care for friends, family, and even strangers, listening to them and praying with and for them while sharing the gospel.

Jim left us with a legacy of love, laughter, and faithful service. For each one of us who had the fortune of knowing him, our lives are forever touched by his passion, love, grace, and infectious sense of humor. While we will miss him deeply, we rejoice knowing he is in the presence of Jesus, free from all struggles.

We will celebrate his life on Saturday, January 17, at First Baptist Church Bryan, 3100 Cambridge Drive, Bryan. Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. with the service to follow at 10:00 a.m. in the Worship Center.

In Jim’s memory, donations may be made in great appreciation of A Closer Walk Life Group and the Singing Men of South Texas.