James Elwood Jackson Sr.

James Elwood Jackson was the third-born son of Johnnie and Viola (Casper) Jackson. Born in Lenoir County, North Carolina on August 4th, 1939, he attended Woodington High School in Kinston. His longstanding journey and battle with kidney disease ended at the Brockton, Massachusetts Veteran Affairs Hospice Facility on Wednesday, April 29th, just before midnight.

Following in the footsteps of a childhood friend, in 1955 he moved to Boston, Massachusetts where he promptly joined the United States Army. After serving for 6 years, he returned to Boston and put himself through barber & cosmetology school. Later in the 1960s he met the love of his life, Geraldine Ingram. Their union of almost 50 years would produce one son, James Jackson, Jr. A self-made businessman, “Jack”, as he was widely known, owned and operated Upham’s Corner mainstay, Jackson’s Unisex Hairstyling Salon & Barbershop for 30 years as well as Jackson’s Fuel Oil Company, before he eventually purchased the entire block of stores where the barbershop was located on Dudley Street.

One of the greatest honors of his life was the work he did after joining the Prince Hall Masonic Order. He was made a Master Mason in Mt. Moriah Lodge #9, F. & A.M. and was elected Worshipful Master in 1985, 1992, 2001 & 2010. He also served in the Grand Lodge. He served in several houses including, Naomi Court #2 Heroines of Jericho (PWJ 2008-2013), Most Ancient Prince Hall Grand Court Heroines of Jericho (GWJ 2013), St. Stephen’s Chapter #1, Holy Sepulcher Consistory #17, Syria Temple #31 (Shriners), African Lodge #459, Member of the Past Worthy Patrons & Past Worthy Matrons Council, Member of the Past Worthy Grand Patrons & Past Worthy Grand Matrons Council, Member of “Men of Valor” Region #1, the Holy Royal Arch Masons, and Mt. Moriah Chapter #7, Order of the Eastern Star where he served as Worthy Patron (1988, 1991, 1993, 1996-97, 2012), Grand Warden (1992, 1999-2000, 2001), Grand Trustee (1998), and Star Brother. He was also elected as the 34th Worthy Grand Patron 2004-2006. After serving the order for several years, he was elevated to Thirty-third Degree in the Class of May 2007 achieving the highest rank of a Master Mason.

Predeceased by his beloved wife, Geraldine Jackson (d.2017), his parents, Johnnie and Viola Jackson, and siblings, Coy, Leonard, Linwood, Hazel, Eugene, and Johnnie-Bell. He leaves behind his brother, Franklin D. Jackson, his children, James Jackson Jr. (Tom) of New Jersey, Gregory Rouse (Katrina) of Kinston, North Carolina, their children Gregory L. Rouse II and Bridget T. Rouse, and his daughter Devon “Jackie” Carr, her children Lavone & Devon, Jr. and her five grandchildren, of Boston, Massachusetts, including his countless nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, family, friends, and Masonic family, all of whom he cared for deeply.

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