Robert Donald Jackson Jr. "Bob"'s Obituary
Robert Donald Jackson, Jr., “Bob”, passed away June 30th, 2024, at the age of 81 in Plano, Texas after a long battle with Peripheral Arterial Disease and Vascular Dementia. He was born on December 24th, 1942, in Dallas, Texas to parents Robert Donald Jackson, Sr. and Betty Thomas Griffin.
It was fitting that Bob was born on Christmas Eve, because he was considered a gift to his family, friends, and everyone who knew him.
Bob will be most remembered for his dedication to his family and his true love and wife of 57 years, Belinda. He spent much of his early childhood in Southfield, Michigan, where he played hockey and was an avid Boy Scout. He would later move back to Dallas, Texas to become a football star at both Highland Park and Thomas Jefferson High Schools. He graduated with a Criminal Justice Degree from Abilene Christian University in 1975.
His love for his country led him to serve in the U.S. Army as a member of the vaunted 101st Airborne Division. He served in the Army for six years, and 19 months in the Vietnam War. As a Lieutenant with C Co 1/327th Infantry he participated in over a dozen combat operations and was decorated for Valor and Heroism at the Battle of Dak To.
Later, Bob would serve as a Sergeant for the Dallas Police Department and Director of Security for the Garland Independent School District as a pioneer for school safety. His passion for service would mirror his passion for family and fatherhood, as he loved his four boys and wife more than anything on Earth. As a devoted grandfather, he would rarely miss an event for his grandkids and always told his sons that his greatest pride was watching them become fathers.
Bob is survived by his one true love and wife Belinda of 57 years, his sons William (Wife Edith) Andrew (Wife Lynette), and Robert III (Wife Heather), brother Thom (Wife Rebecca), stepbrother Charles Forest (Wife Joy), grandchildren Ariel, Anna Grace, Oscarina, Kyle, Emma, Ethan, Evan, Eli, Hayes, Gentry, Jessica, & David, great grandchildren Abigail and Kyle Scott, along with the many nieces and nephews he loved dearly.
Bob is preceded in death by his son Christopher Scott Jackson, father Robert Donald Jackson, Sr., stepmother Clara Jo Jackson, mother Betty Thomas Griffin, and stepfather Wesley E. Griffin, brother Mike Jackson, and stepsister Sharla Rippetoe.
A Visitation is scheduled for July 24, 2024, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas on Greenville Avenue.
Memorial Service will be held on July 25, 2024, at 10:00 am at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, Texas with graveside service to follow at Restland Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob’s memory to one of the following charities:
Dementia Society of America: https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate
Gary Sinise Foundation for Veterans & First Responders: https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate
Please add ajackson@stadiumpeople.com to the recipient’s email address field
What’s your fondest memory of Robert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Robert?
Share a story where Robert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Robert you’ll never forget.
How did Robert make you smile?
