Howard "Bud" F. Jackson

Howard “Bud” Jackson, 91 of rural DeGraff, passed away at 6:00 pm Wednesday, September 17, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Bud was born at home in rural Bellefontaine (Gretna) on March 23, 1934, to the late Joseph E. and Thelma R. (Young) Jackson. He and Jenean (Roush) eloped and married on June 2, 1952. They defied the odds of marrying young and made a wonderful life for them and their children. His heart was broken upon Jenean’s passing on January 19, 2017, and he never fully recovered from her death. His family was the source of this love and happiness. He is survived by their four children, Skip (Amy) Jackson of DeGraff, David (Jean) Jackson of Bellefontaine, Jeanie (Ron) Weiskittle of Fort Myers, FL, and Diana (Chuck) Gamble of DeGraff; 12 grandchildren, Scott (Kari) Jackson, Gregg (Jinger) Jackson, Michelle (Brian) Parsell, Matthew (Ashtyn) Jackson, Debbie Weiskittle, Julie (Jeremy) Pequignot, Becky (Kyle) Lentz, Emily (Jerrod) Henry, Abby (Stephanie) Harper, Emily (Dan) Jackson and Matthew and Natalie Smith; 19 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Bud and Jenean also raised their niece and nephew Jennifer and Michael Hughes.

He was proceeded in death by his daughter-in-law Deb Kennel Jackson, brothers Robert, Bill, Paul, John and Sonny Jackson and sisters Eva Brenner, Emma Cloninger, Kathryn Danner and Helen Mohr.

In 1949, Bud, his father, brothers and a nephew were the only Father/Son Trap Shooting team in the United States. This became a family tradition for Thanksgiving for many years.

Bud attended DeGraff High School and received an honorary diploma in 2015. In 1959, Bud and Jenean purchased their lifetime farm and moved to their home on the hill in rural DeGraff. Being young, they worked hard to build a life of love. They instilled this mindset in their children. Anything worth having takes commitment and work. Along with farming, Bud drove semi for Super Foods for 42 years before retiring in 1994. He and Jenean traveled the world with their Super Foods family. In 1967, Bud attained his auctioneer license and conducted farm equipment, household items, and livestock sales, while also donating his time for fundraising. In 1994, Bud and Jenean purchased Jackson Livestock Auction, where they poured their love into their customers. He continued dealing with livestock for area farmers for years after the sale of the business.

Bud showed cattle at the Logan County Fair as a youth. The love of the fair and people drove him to being a director of the Logan County Agricultural Society. He was a supporter of 4-H and FFA exhibitors. He was the creator of the Calf Scramble at the fair which continues to this day. Bud was also a board member of the IGA Credit Union, a member of the Gretna Brethren Church, Miami Grange, Boggs Lodge in DeGraff, Logan County Farm Bureau, Ohio Harness Association, United States Trotting Association, and Teamsters 908. Bud was a huge volunteer for the Riverside School District of which you could see him hauling a steer to Friday night football games and selling raffle tickets on the steer. He also was a disaster relief volunteer with the American Red Cross. Even though he was not a veteran, he loved supporting the Vets to D.C. trip and was honored by attending one of the many journeys to Washington D.C. His desire to help others was at the top of his list. He and Jenean loved square dancing and were members of the See Saw Club. Bud also loved playing Santa Claus for years and bringing smiles to so many children.

Bud’s greatest love was God. He loved gospel music along with his country twang music. His love for his family was above all, and they always came first. He and Jenean loved the time traveling with their family. He was a huge supporter and defender of the underdog and those he felt were wronged. He loved his WWE wrestling. He never knew a stranger. He was a memory maker. He is best known for joke telling and making people laugh. We close this memory with one of his favorite lines. “Have you heard the latest? … It’s not out yet.”

Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Gretna Brethren Church, 1564 Township Road 46 in Bellefontaine. Pastor Rob Starnes will officiate a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 22nd at the church. Burial will follow in Greenwood-Union Cemetery in DeGraff, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made, in Bud’s memory, to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to any charity of the donor’s choice.

SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, DEGRAFF is honored to care for Bud’s family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or kind message with the family at www.sanfordfuneralhome.com.