Dr. Larry Jackson

“Only two things money can't buy

That's true love and homegrown tomatoes

When I die don't bury me in a box in a cemetery

Out in the garden would be much better,

I could be pushin' up homegrown tomatoes”

― Guy Clark

Dr. Lawrence Lee Jackson, 81, passed away on October 1, 2021, beside his beloved wife Annette Jackson. Larry will be eternally loved, sorely missed, and forever remembered by his loving family, friends, and his faithful dog, Knut.

Larry was born to parents John and Gertrude Jackson, on May 21, 1940, in Peoria, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, in 1966 and completed his internship and residency at Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. He received the Violet Keiller Award for excellence during his residency at Hermann Hospital. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1970-1973 and active duty from 1971-1973. He received a Naval Commendation for outstanding service. He practiced medicine in Houston from 1973-1982. He relocated to Rockdale, Texas in 1982 where he served the people of Rockdale, Caldwell, Cameron, and surrounding areas. He provided incomparable care for his patients; he treated them with grace, kindness, and just the right amount of humor to help the medicine go down.

My Dad didn’t give my sister and me advice; rather, he shared life lessons with us that would invite us to examine our lives and who we wanted to grow into. I recall the time he caught us sneaking cereal after bedtime; we denied our criminal behavior and swore up and down that we had been in bed the whole time, in spite of the trail of Fruit Loops we’d left behind. That was the time we learned about telling the truth. We’re both still learning and growing, but we’re always honest with ourselves and we almost never sneak cereal to bed anymore.

Larry was passionate about gardening and he cherished his time spent there. He spent hours tending to his garden; inspecting his plants for health, watering them properly, treating the soil, destroying weeds, and protecting them from critters. He grew all sorts of vegetables; his peppers and homegrown tomatoes were a great source of pride for him, and he jarred some of the best salsa you ever tasted with them.

Larry is survived by his two daughters; Candi and Nikki, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and the love of his life, Annette. They built a life together where he cultivated his treasured garden and some of the most precious memories anyone could ever hope for. We had the best Fourth of Julys ever; we’d go to the firework stand and pick all the fireworks we could possibly fit into the back of his Ford pickup. As soon as it got dark, he’d start the show. We’d all get comfy in the bed of the truck; Dad would get them lit, and race back to safety where we’d delight in each burst.

My Dad savored life and knew how to live it better than anyone I know. He surely loved gardening and spending time with loved ones, he tended to both with lots of love, patience, and just the right amount of drink to help them grow and to have a good time.

We love you. We miss you. We watered the garden.

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Texas A&M University The Gardens.