Obituaries

Larry Gene Jackson, age 85, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025, at EverTrue Mason Pointe. He was born May 16, 1940, in Scotland County, Missouri, to Harry Leo and Veda Pauline (nee Donaldson) Jackson.

His childhood years were spent on a farm with no electricity and no running water until he was about 10 years old. His elementary education was in a one-room schoolhouse; his secondary education at Downing High School in Memphis, Missouri. For three years he attended Northeast Missouri State (now Truman University) followed by two years at the University of Missouri where, in 1963, he earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Physics.

Larry and Susan married on June 11, 1977, and enjoyed 48 years together.

During his 35 years at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing Larry's knowledge, expertise, and problem-solving skills lead to his selection as a Liaison Engineer. He worked on the AV-8B composite wing and fuselage components, which were the most advanced use of composite technology on aerospace structures in production at the time. Larry also supported fabrication of advanced composites for the F-15 Eagle and the F/A-!8 Hornet, which were also considered state of art application of complex composite aerospace structures. He not only worked with U.S. manufacturers in Nashville, TN, but internationally in Spain, Switzerland, and Australia, solving design/manufacturing issues. Most notably, he received a Quality Achievement Award for his work.

Larry was an excellent carpenter and craftsman and did many remodeling projects at his home and two churches. He volunteered on the Building and Grounds committees of his churches. He was a member of the Board of Trustees for his community, Old Farm Estates, serving residents for over 40 years, including one term as president. One of his favorites projects was developing the bike trail connecting the pool area to Creve Coeur Mill Road, then onto the Creve Coeur Lake Trail which connects to the Katy Trail.

Larry is survived by his wife, Susan (nee Albrecht) Jackson, and his son, Christopher Jackson, daughter, Kelly (William) Noonan, and step-son, Randall Todd (Kari) Cunningham. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Victoria Jackson, Andrew Jackson, Dillon Tipton, and Kai Tipton. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers, Floyd Dean Jackson and Laverne Jackson, and a great-grandson, William Shockley.

He enjoyed being with all his family and friends. At a time when courts typically awarded child custody to women, Larry was one of the first men in Missouri to be given full custody of his young children, a testament to the fact that he was an attentive and loving father.

A Celebration of Life service for Larry will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, St. Paul's Evangelical Church, 9801 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, Missouri 63141. (Parking lot entrance on Warson Road.)

We invite all who knew and loved Larry to join us in honoring his memory.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to St. Paul’s Evangelical Church.