Harold Jackson, prominent businessman and former Mayor of the City of Poplar Bluff, passed away June 28, 2021 at the age of 92. Born Henry Harold Hoover Jackson on March 15, 1929 in Portageville, Missouri, Mr. Jackson lived most of his life in his beloved Poplar Bluff.
Harold was born to Henry Alton Jackson and Georgia Belle McGath Jackson on the family farm. He was the youngest of six children and the only boy. Harold had five older sisters, Sylvia, Berniece, Willadean (Whick), Rosie and Mollie Belle. Mr. Jackson’s parents as well as all five of his sisters preceded him in death, along with his first born daughter, Janice Lea Jackson, in 1957. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Armes Jackson, of Poplar Bluff.
Harold served his nation proudly in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, January 4, 1951 through November 29, 1952.
Upon returning home from the war, he found employment on the wash rack at Baumgart Motor Co., Poplar Bluff’s Dodge dealer. He eventually worked his way up to Sales Manager having served in every position; service manager, parts manager and ultimately general manager. Harold had the upmost respect for the Baumgart family and the feeling was evidently mutual, as in 1968, Harold and his family were given the opportunity to purchase the dealership. It then became JACKSON DODGE. Mr. Jackson continued to improve and increase his footprint in our area for the next twenty seven years, ultimately building a new dealership on US Hwy 67 North, where it is still located today. Harold sold JACKSON DODGE to the Larry Hillis family in 1995.
Harold’s hobbies included aviation and as an avid pilot, took up crop-dusting on the weekends in the early years to help get his business on its feet. He had an intense love of woodworking of all kinds, building furniture, to include a grandfather clock! He was known throughout the area for his restoration of antique cars, competing in shows as a member of the Bootheel Antique Car Club for many years. His pride and joy was his complete restoration of a 1942 Plymouth. He simply loved tinkering and could fix absolutely anything. He was a lifelong fisherman and began playing golf in his retirement years, but his greatest love was that of his Poplar Bluff Mules Football team, especially during the 1970s when his daughter, Kim, marched in the award-winning Sho-Me Marching Band.
Harold was not only a good businessman and car dealer, he was also very involved in his church and community. His love of music led him to directing church choirs and his deep baritone voice was always in demand for solos at church and weddings. He served on the Poplar Bluff City Council in 1970, 1971 and 1972, ultimately culminating his public service as mayor from 1971-1972.
Mr. Jackson is survived by his daughter, Kim Mouser and husband, Bob Mouser of Harrison, Arkansas; two grandchildren, Rachel Mouser of Washington, DC and Zac Mouser of Sherwood, Arkansas. He is also survived by his ex-wife, Wanda Wilkerson Jackson of Harrison, Arkansas, who is the mother of his girls; three local nieces, Wanda Joyce Underwood of Portageville, Missouri, Georgiana Gould of Poplar Bluff and Karen Coulson Frank of Piedmont, Oklahoma. There are many more nieces and nephews too numerous to be mentioned. He is additionally survived by Shirley’s children, Tonya Sullivan Morse, Tommy Sullivan and their families.
Services for Mr. Jackson will be held on August 16 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the Missouri State Veteran Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri, with the Reverend Bill Turner officiating. Full military rites will be performed. Arrangements are being handled by Faith Funeral Services, Manila, Arkansas.