KEITH E. JACKSON

Keith Jackson's Obituary

Seaford- Keith E. Jackson, age 62 died Sat Jan 2,2021 at Tidal Health Nanticoke in Seaford after a brief illness. Born in Salisbury MD, he was the son of the late Elmer (Eugene) and Margaret A Jackson of Willards MD. He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years Denise B Jackson and his loyal companion his dog Lucy. His cousins Bryce Collins  and wife Beth of Millsboro DE, Kevin Collins and wife Karen of Bloomington, IN and Lloyd Allen Davis of Salisbury MD.

Keith attended Willards Elementary School and then Pittsville High School until the 11th grade. Keith was a member of the first graduating class of Parkside High School in Salisbury MD in 1976. As a young boy he enjoyed farming and caring for his uncle's livestock. He played Little league baseball for the Willards Chicks. In Pittsville  and Parkside High School he played Varsity Baseball and Basketball.

After High school, he was employed by Commercial Credit in Salisbury MD. In 1978 he began his career at Perdue Farms Inc. until 1988.During his time at Perdue Farms He held several positions. He was a Flock Supervisor for Perdue North and in 1982 he was honored as one of Delmarva's top Flock Supervisors at the University of Maryland's Serviceman's Poultry Conference. He was a Hatchery Manager and finished his career at Perdue Farms, Inc. As a Live Haul Manager for the Perdue Salisbury Processing plant. After his time at Perdue he pursued his dream job of training Standardbred Race Horses. He had purchased his first racehorse as a teenager with friend Randy Truitt. Keith trained and raced Standardbred horses at several east coast tracks from New York to Virginia, but he primarily raced at Ocean Downs, Rosecroft Raceway, Harrington Raceway and Dover Downs. During the next 25 years of training and racing he made many long and lasting friendships, won many races and had some sorrows along the way. For him it wasn't just a job it was a way of life and he truly loved doing it. He had recently purchased a yearling colt with longtime friend Tom Davis of New Church VA. and he was looking forward to seeing him compete in the coming year. Keith was a member of the Delaware Standardbred Owners Assoc., The United States Trotting Assoc. and the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Assoc. of Maryland. After leaving horse racing in 2013 Keith did Field Services work for various mortgage and Insurance Companies. At the time of his death he was semi retired and managed a couple of investment properties.

Keith enjoyed shooting pool and he was a Americian Poolplayers Assoc. (APA) member. He competed in local and state tournaments. He played for a team sponsored by his favorite local bar Cinnamons in Seaford. In addition to shooting pool at Cinnamons he loved socializing with his large family of friends. They shared many laughs and tears together. He was a Baltimore Orioles  Baseball fan, a Ravens Football fan and he enjoyed watching golf.

He was a member of the Loyal order of the Moose #1728 in Seaford, the Seaford Elks lodge #2458 and the Sons of the American Legion post# 6 in Seaford.

As a young man Keith respected his elders and he learned a lot from their wisdom. On many occasions he would carry an elderly man to Ocean Downs for a night out watching the horses race. He liked to play gin rummy with a local tavern owner. Keith was firm and believed in fair play for all and would help anyone down on their luck. He was a kind and tenderhearted man who cared deeply for his family and friends and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Gravesides Services will be on Friday, January 15th at 1 PM at Powellville Cemetery, Powellville, MD.  Friends may call at the Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N. Shipley St, Seaford, DE on Thursday evening January 14th from 6 to 8 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Keith can be made to The Delaware SOA Horseman's Welfare Trust Fund, 830 Walker Sq., suite 11-2, Dover DE, 19904.

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