Col” Gene Jackson Kilpatrick Funeral Home Ruston, LA Leslie “Gene” Jackson departed peacefully from this life on December 19, 2013. He was surrounded by family and friends in his Ruston home after succumbing to a long, terminal illness. The family is receiving guests during a Visitation, Sunday afternoon, December 22nd, 5-7pm at Grace United Methodist Church GUMC, 3401 North Trenton Street, Ruston, LA. A memorial service to celebrate his life will take place December 23rd, at 1pm also at GUMC. Officiating the service will be Rev. Scott Adams. Military Honors to be conducted following the service, weather permitting. Gene is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy, formerly, Dorothy Jean Koontz, of Fairfield, Illinois, his brother: Robert Jackson and his sister Katherine Brock. He is survived by his son Michael Jackson and wife Jamie, Rome, Ga, and daughter Christy Jackson Rew and husband William, Hampton, VA; Grandchildren: Shawn, Gregory, and Nolan Jackson and Jessica, Amanda, and Kathryn Rew. Gene, affectionately known as “The Colonel” was was born June 20, 1933 in Fairfield, Illinois. Gene and his high school sweetheart, Dorothy, went to college together at Southern Illinois University. Following graduation, Gene started his exciting career with the Air force. Over the next 27 years Gene and Dorothy raised their son Michael and daughter Christy as they travelled the country during seventeen military assignments. Gene was a career Air Force bomber pilot having flown primarily the B-52. He served in Viet Nam for two one year tours and was awarded the Bronze Star. He achieved the rank of Colonel before retiring and transitioning to civilian life in Ruston. Gene enjoyed his last assignment as the Commandant of Detachment 305, the ROTC Unit at Louisinana Tech University. Following retirement from the Air Force in September 1981, Gene joined the faculty of LA Tech in the Dept. of Petroleum Engineering then later the Dept. of Professional Aviation. He retired from teaching after 20 years at Tech where he touched many students' lives as he mentored them to careers in the military and the civilian aviation industry. During his time in Ruston, Gene served as a member and later President of the Ruston Rotary Club. He also enjoyed time with the Methodist Men and his Sunday school class of GUMC where he and his wife Dorothy were members. Gene was an avid Louisiana Tech Basketball fan and for years loved to coach from his season ticket seat and as a member of the Tip Off Club. For the past several years, Gene was privileged to host a daily mens' coffee group where he was kept abreast of both national and local happenings through the always stimulating conversations with his dear friends of Turtle Creek. Gene was known for his charismatic personality and ever present smile. He always looked for the best in people and seemed to bring that out in them. “The Colonel” will be dearly missed by his many friends and family members. Many God bless him on this next journey as he is finally free of his debilitating disease. Pallbearers will be Colin Ringle, Buddy Smith, Joe Dixon, Sam Holland, Jim Walker and grandsons: Shawn, Greg, and Nolan Jackson. Honorary Pall bearers: Lon Bass, Mack Estes, Jack Humfries, Pete Larance, Don Nelson, Don Shankles, Jay Vinyard and Ansel Winham. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Myosistis Association TMA@myositis.org or to St. Joseph Hospice, Monroe, LA. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com