James P. Jackson Jr. passed away on Saturday, May 15, due to complications following a fall. He was 58. In his short time here, Jim (or Jimmy, as many of us knew him) surfed big waves on both coasts and in Hawaii, cooked delicious meals for friends and family, designed great structures, traveled whenever he could, hiked many trails, loved to follow and talk about the weather, and always appreciated the beauty of nature. He was kind and funny, and he loved dogs, especially his very best friend Dylan and his more recent companion Jasper.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, and raised in Toms River, NJ, Jim spent his young adult years on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There, he surfed (a lot) while becoming a skilled carpenter and an accomplished furniture maker. Later in life, he went back to school, earning an associate’s degree in architectural engineering technology from Tidewater Community College and then a bachelor’s degree from the School of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He then moved West, settling in the San Diego area and working for more than 15 years at an architecture firm in Solana Beach, CA, as a senior project manager. Focused mainly on residential projects, Jim won several design awards for his work during his time there. More recently, Jim ran his own design and planning business, also focused on residential projects, and headed north in his final years to Bend, OR, to hike the snow-capped mountains of Central Oregon with Jasper.
Jim is survived by his mother, Catherine Jackson; his sisters Susan, Paula, and Hillary, and his brother Ken, as well as their spouses Jay, Chris, Matt, and Ann Marie. He also is survived by his six nieces Brittany, Katie, Shauna, Holly, Caysey, and Eve; his two nephews Daymian and Harry; his four great-nephews Jackson, Jet, Rivur, and Evan; and his great-niece Mae. He also leaves behind “The Aunts,” Flossie, Meem, and Donna, whom he loved dearly, and many cousins and friends. Jim will be missed by those who knew and loved him and by the many people he met along the way who also loved him (which was pretty much everyone). He was pre-deceased by his father James P. Jackson.
The family will hold a private service. To honor Jim, please make a donation to your local humane society, and take a hike on a trail or a dip in the ocean and appreciate the beauty around you.
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