Curtis Eugene Jackson of Du Quoin

DU QUOIN - Curtis Eugene Jackson, 87, of Du Quoin, passed away at 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 in the VA Medical Center in Marion.

Curtis was born on June 11, 1930 in Chicago, a son to Robert and Melvina (Keesee) Jackson. Curtis was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Korean War.

On Dec. 23, 1968, he married Jo Ann Myers in Du Quoin and she survives. He was a police officer at Southern Illinois University for 30 years and then owned and operated Jackson's BBQ for 26 years.

Curtis was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, Du Quoin, where he served as a deacon; the Illinois Police Association and the Perry County Sheriff's Association.

He enjoyed fishing, playing the organ for church, leading the choir and especially spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Jo Ann Jackson of Du Quoin; two daughters, Tonya Buff of Du Quoin and Debbie Jackson of Minneapolis, Minn.; one brother, Carl (Vicky) Sanders Jr. of Des Moines, Iowa; two sisters, Donna Woods of Des Moines, Iowa and Claudia Sanders of Atlanta, Ga.; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter Benita René Brown; one son, Brian Jackson and one grandson, Joshua Buff.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Pyatt Funeral Home in Du Quoin with the Revs. Jesse Davis, Gary Darnell, Jim Anderson and Leon Kelly officiating.

Interment will be held at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Du Quoin. Military rites will be performed by the Du Quoin V.F.W. and American Legion.

Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Du Quoin, on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the family of Curtis Eugene Jackson.

For more information or to sign an online guest book, visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.