Lanny Maurice Jackson

Texas A&M University lost a devoted Aggie on June 14, 2012. Lanny Maurice Jackson of O’Donnell, Texas left this life at the age of 50 years.

Lanny was born in Slaton, Texas on December 27, 1961, to Maurice and Patsy Jackson. In 1980, Lanny graduated from O’Donnell High School where he played football, was a member of the Future Farmers of America and was a thespian in One-Act plays under the direction of Glenn and Donna Hopkins. Lanny attended Angelo State University where he pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon and developed many lifelong friendships with his Sig Ep fraternity brothers.

Lanny’s life journey took him from O’Donnell to San Angelo, Lubbock, Coppell and back home again. Lanny was first employed by his parents in their full-service fuel and auto maintenance business at the age of eight years; his dad did not believe in “child labor laws,” instead considered it first-hand lessons in the American work ethic. Lanny dedicated the last four years of his life to O’Donnell Oil and Butane Company, Inc., where he partnered with his parents and his trusted friend, Alex Gutierrez, in serving the public in one of the last full-service gas stations in the United States.

Lanny had a deep love and respect for his hometown of O’Donnell and believed in community service. He served as an Emergency Medical Technician with the O’Donnell Emergency Medical Service; a volunteer firefighter; a fan of the O’Donnell High School Eagles; a loyal supporter of the O’Donnell Museum; and a member of First Baptist Church. Lanny followed in his dad’s footsteps and took pride in caring for the park in the community square.

Lanny is remembered as a compassionate man with a big heart and a deep faith in Jesus Christ. He was most proud of his children, Jordan, Carter, Kallie and Tanner and loved them deeply and unconditionally. Lanny’s kindness and concern for others will carry on through his children, in whom he instilled these characteristics.

Lanny married Kelli Crouch on December 31, 2010, in O’Donnell and expected to live his life with his soul mate. Lanny loved Kelli’s children and grandchildren as his own.

Left to cherish his memory are his best friend and wife of 18 months, Kelli of O’Donnell; four sons, Jordan Jackson, 25, of New York City, New York and Jordan’s sweet friend, Janet Johnson, Tanner Jackson, 11, of Irving, and Jerad Ludlow, 16, and Erik Ludlow, 11, of O’Donnell; two daughters, Kallie Jackson, 20, of Irving and Karenda, 32, and Jeff Cotton of Ada, Oklahoma; parents, Maurice and Patsy Jackson of O’Donnell; two sisters and brothers by love, Pattie and Griff Griffin and Tracy and Leo Stewart of San Angelo, and their children, Mandi and Buddy Thompson of Post, Courtney and Tamara Stewart of O’Donnell, and Sarah and JW Alexander of San Angelo; two grandchildren, Dylen, seven, and Kamber Cotton, three months, of Ada, Oklahoma; Kelli’s parents, Kenneth and Karen Crouch of Sanger; sister-in-law and husband, Kristi and Rick Jones of Sanger and brother-in-law and wife, Cody and Toye Crouch of Elk City, Oklahoma. Lanny is also survived by his brother by love, Alex Gutierrez; Diane Warden Abel, his friend and mother of his children, Jordan, Carter, Kallie and Tanner; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many loving friends.

Lanny was preceded in death in 2007 by his 18-year-old son, Carter Thomas Jackson; and in 2000 by his 19-year-old daughter, Amber Ludlow.

A celebration of Lanny’s life was held at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2012, at First Baptist Church, O’Donnell, with his lifetime friend, Clay Childress, officiating and assisted by Lanny’s Pastor, Brother Scott Hensley.

Honoring Lanny as pallbearers were his buddies:  Randy Brewer, Brent Cox, Don Forbes, Corey Gass, Todd Gass, Tommy Knight, Travis Mires and Brad Williams.

Lanny’s family extends their deepest gratitude for the many kindnesses shown by family and dear friends in O’Donnell, San Angelo and throughout Texas and Oklahoma.

Memorial contributions may be made to the O’Donnell Museum Fund or to a charity of choice.

Lanny’s life may be further celebrated by visiting www.combestfamilyfuneralhomes.com

– Press-Reporter obituary services