Richard Dean Jackson

Richard Jackson, 72, of Lyndon, passed away Sunday, June 20, 2021 at Midland Hospice Care in Topeka.

He was born on December 8, 1948 in Emporia, the son of Fred A. “Fritz” and Elaine Gladys (Hallowell) Jackson. He graduated from Osage City High School in 1966. After that, Richard was drafted to the United States Army. Although he was technically a soldier during the Vietnam War, he lucked out and ended up driving trucks through Germany. While in the army, he obtained some truly epic tattoos, including a devil captioned “Hot Stuff” as well as a USDA Choice Beef stamp that rarely saw the light of day due to its scandalous location.

Richard had worked as a self-employed contractor and carpenter. He always smelled like sawdust, and he was a complete perfectionist. Carpentry continued to be a passion throughout his life, whether he was building his grandchildren a playhouse or helping one of his children with a remodeling project. He also worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Topeka, where he learned and perfected his many dad jokes, along with less appropriate jokes he saved for those occasions when he wanted his audience to gag or recoil in shock. He was shameless, always laughing at his own jokes harder than anyone else.

He was a member of Overbrook Bible Church.

Richard is survived by four daughters, Blair (Cory) Falldine of Emporia, Audra (Dan) Lohrbach of Silver Lake, Tessa (Brandon) Herman of Topeka and Jetta (Turk) Barbar of Doha, Qatar; a son, Richard Wade (Meg) Jackson of Topeka; a sister, Janice (Larry) Fager of Reading; two brothers, Robert E. Jackson (friend, Jan Ogleby) of Osage City and James L. (Deanna) Jackson of Osage City; nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Richard’s friends and family will miss his advice delivered via catchphrase (“You’ve gotta take care of business”), his delicious smoked ribs and chickens, his legendary moustache, his patented dance moves, and his love and support. They might not miss his farts at the dinner table. But, what, did we want him to explode?! I guess not.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 25, 2021 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Osage City. Burial to follow at Osage City Cemetery. Family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at VanArsdale Funeral Chapel in Osage City. Memorial contributions may be made to New Dawn Wellness and Recovery Center and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth, Osage City, Kansas 66523. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.