Lloyd Thomas 'Tom' Jackson, 83

Lloyd Thomas "Tom" Jackson, 83, passed away Jan. 31, 2006, at Health Center North West in Kalispell. He was born Aug. 3, 1922, in Kalispell, to Samual Brinton and Pearl (Nicholson) Jackson. Tom was raised and received his education in Kalispell.

He met Bonnie Goldhammer and they were married March 7, 1942. Tom joined the Army Air Corps and was a master sergeant during World War II. They lived in Louisiana and Texas while Tom was in the military. After military service, they lived in Portland until around 1950, then moved back to Kalispell.

After he returned to Kalispell, he owned and operated Jackson Machine Shop on East Idaho until he retired in 1980. He leased the shop out in 1980 to several different businesses, including the glass shop, and then sold it in 2001 when they moved to Texas. They traveled south for the winters for 15 years after Tom retired. They loved the winters in Yuma, Ariz.

Tom and Bonnie moved from Kalispell to Dripping Springs, Texas, in 2001.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of nearly 64 years, Bonnie Jackson, on Jan. 24, 2006, and two brothers, Arly and Brinton.

He is survived by four children, Thomas M. Jackson and his wife, Scarlette, of Bozeman, Dixie A. Billups and her husband, Eldon, of Colville, Wash., Jackie L. Fife and her husband, Fred, of Dripping Springs, and Mary Jo Jerrow and her husband, Tom, of Hungry Horse; one sister, Joan Gause, and husband, Burt, of Kalispell; five grandchildren, Jodi Ruggles, Deanna Ross, Michael Jerrow, Randy Jackson and Tim Jackson; and four great-grandchildren, Savannah Ross, Shawn Ross, Kevin Ross and Ava Bonnie Jackson.

A combined graveside service for Tom and Bonnie was held Tuesday, Jan. 31, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Tom's family.