GARY DEAN JACKSON : Attorney at Law, Farmer and Rancher

Gary D. Jackson was born on September 13, 1935 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, the son of the late Troy Byrl and Leslie Evelyn (Sitton) Jackson. Gary lived the majority of his life in Lindale, Smith County, Texas where he received the beginning of his education and life experiences. He received his education at Lindale High School graduating in 1953 outlining his life paving the way for his career.

Gary passed away on March 20, 2026, in Tyler, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Jimmie Hall Jackson and survived by his two sons, Daniel Jackson of Dallas Texas, and David Jackson and two granddaughters, Erica Jackson of Austin, Texas and Sabrina Jackson of the State of Maryland. He was preceded in death by Gloria Ann Jackson in 2011, the Mother of his sons and law partner in Lindale, Texas. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Anita Jackson, and brother, Ronald Jackson in Lindale, Texas.

Gary lived his life to the fullest as a lawyer, farmer, rancher and military-man first and foremost, enjoying each and all of the life he chose in East Texas as is noted below by his preparation for a successful career and thorough knowledge in each.

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS:

1957- He received his B. A. in Government from Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas and Texas University, Austin, Texas; 1958; 1961- He received his L.L.B. from Baylor University, Waco, Texas and Doctor of Jurisprudence from Baylor University, Waco, Texas [a new degree awarded due to a change in the degree program] .

1961- He began the practice of Law in Dallas, Texas.

He was admitted to 9 U.S. Districts Courts in Texas, Alabama, Arkansas and Iowa. 11 United States Courts of Appeal, the U.S Court of Military Appeals for Armed Services, U.S. Army Court of Military Review, U.S. Court of Claims and the Supreme Court of the United States

Special Admission to the U.S. District Courts from the District of Hawaii, California, New York, Oklahoma, Illinois, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Louisiana, and District of Columbia and numerous State Courts.

MILITARY EDUCATION: Gary had a stellar Military Education, having graduated the Officer Candidate School, US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia in 1956 and a graduate of Basic Infantry Officer Course, at Fort Benning in 1957 In 1965 he graduated Advance Infantry Course 7-A-C23; Judge Advocate General Officer Career Course at the US ARMY JAGC School, Virginia 1968-1969, 1970-1972 Military Justice Course, JAGC School, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Fort Ritchie, MD 1977; US ARMY WAR COLLEGE, CARLISLE BARRACKS, PA; GRADUATING 11 JUNE 1979; Courses with advanced qualification from 1981-2002 including Commander Course, Engineers in Offense, Soviet Doctrine and Tactics, Drug Enforcement Special Instruction, General Command System, etc. GO ARMY!

Memberships: Former memberships in Water Organizations: Upper Sabine Basin Water Alliance, Vice-Chairman, Mineola, Texas; Lindale Area Water Group, Northeast Texas, Voting Member, Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Region “D” Water Planning Croup, Northeast Texas Voting member, Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Group “D” representative to Group “C” Water Planning Group, north Central Texas, Dallas, Texas Groundwater Conservation District Task Force, East Texas Council of Governments, Kilgore Texas

FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS;

Lindale Masonic Lodge, Lindale Texas; Scottish Rite Bodies, Waco, Texas and Dallas, Texas; Sharon Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Tyler, Texas

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS:

Scoutmaster, Austin, Texas, Capitol Area Council; Editorial Board, Baylor Review, Lindale, Texas Rotary Club, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Tyler, Texas, Past Director, East Texas Heart Association, Past Board member, Smith County March of Dimes, Past Board Chairman, Tyler, Texas, Smith County Republican Men’s Club, Past President, Baylor Law Review, Tyler SMU Alumni Club, Arlington Texas Boy’s Club; Arlington, Texas Rotary Club, Arlington, Texas Baylor Alumni Club, Dallas Texas, Rotary Club, Texas Council for Input on Crime, Rehab and Prevention, LINDALE VOLUNTARY FIRE DEPARTMENT, ATTORNEY PRO BONO, Smith County Farm Bureau , Lindale Evening Garden Club, Smith County courthouse committee, Lake Country Antique Tractor Club, Quitman, Texas

RECOGNITIONS:

Who’s Who in America 39th Edition, Volume 1, Page 1571 

Who’s Who in American Law, 2nd Edition, et al each year to date 1976-2003

Who’s Who in America 40th Edition, Volume 1, page 1625

Who’s Who in Texas

Personalities of the South

Commendation, Director, FBI, Washington, DC; Special Achievement Award, Attorney General, US Dept/Justice, Washington, DC; Second Commendation, Director, FBI, Washington, DC

Gary retired from the practice of Law in 2024 in Lindale, Smith County, Texas and from The Jackson Law Firm, LLC. Though never from his mind and heart, along with his retirement as a Colonel, USAR, Retired; he would then have time to enjoy his love of gardening and bird watching at his home and watching all his favorite sports, his beloved Cowboys and everything the Olympics provides every weekend. Gary was a Member of the First Baptist Church Encouragers Class, Lindale, Texas; And the American Legion Jordan-Duncan Post 15, Lindale, Texas

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS: Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home, Lindale, Texas, March 28, 2026 at 2 p.m. Visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. at Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home, Lindale, Texas. Internment following the funeral at Lindale City Cemetery.