Jerry Jackson will be remembered as a kind, generous, eternal optimist with a quit wit and an easy smile that he would share with the closest of friends as well as strangers who were simply friends he had not yet met.

Jackson, 69, died peacefully on November 20th after a 5 year battle with cancer. He had defied the odds, surviving 3 years beyond all prognoses. Tenacious with an incredible will to live his life to the fullest, he had even played his beloved tennis matches when others would have long since given up.

Jerry Jay Jackson was born on December 10th, 1936 in south Seattle to parents Elgin and Margaret Jackson. He was the third of five children.

He attended Highline High School in Burien, WA, graduating in 1955. Jackson was a leader throughout his life, beginning in his high school years. He was elected sophomore, junior and senior student body president, and is still closely connected with many of his classmates from over 50 years ago.

He earned many honors playing for the school's baseball and football teams, including pitching the only no-hit, no-run baseball game in the school's history. He was named to the all-conference teams in baseball and football, and played in the 1955 all-state baseball team. Highline High School inducted him into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. Jackson played on college and semi-pro baseball teams, and then was drafted into the Army, serving from 1960 to 1964.

Jackson launched his real estate career in the '60s and in 1972 started his own real estate company. That upstart business eventually became the five branch offices known as All-American Homes, which would become the largest owner-operated real estate company in South King County.

Jerry Jackson is survived by a brother, Jack Jackson, and his two sisters, Anna Jackson and Kathy Jacobs. Also by five children: Steve Jackson; Julie Coppersmith; Russell Jackson and wife, Jody; Alicia Popenhagen; and Jennifer Jackson. Survivors also include five grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Sarah, Jarett, and Kyrie Jackson; Ginny Seibel and Julian Berger.

A celebration of Jerry Jackson's life will be held December 2nd at 1pm at the New Heart Worship Center, 33415 Military Rd. S., Auburn, WA. All are welcome.

Jerry Jackson will be greatly missed by all.