Lt Col Steven Ray Jackson

Lt Col. Steven Ray Jackson was born on September 15, 1948 in Washington, DC. He passed peacefully at the age of 76 on May 29, 2025 with his son Matthew Allen Jackson and second wife Martha Bennett Jackson at his side in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Jackson family raised Steven, and his siblings Diane Lee, Cathy Todd, and Allen Jackson in San Pedro, CA.

After High School he started his service career at the Air Force Academy. While at the Academy he was a member of the Falcon Baseball Team. For socials cadets would frequent the all-girls college up the road. On one of those visits, he met and eventually married his first wife, Cynthia Lee Brinkman. He graduated class of 1972, B.S. Astronautical Engineering Sciences.

Steven had many assignments during his 23 years of active duty. Those included flying the T-38, OV-10 and the F-15. While flying the F-15 at Holloman Air Force Base (HAFB), Steven and Cynthia gave birth to their son, Matthew Allen Jackson in July of 1982. In 1986 Steven earned his MBA from Webster University while stationed at Langley AFB. He became the base Inspector General at HAFB before retiring in 1994.

Steven earned the following Service Decorations:

Meritorious Service Medal with One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

Combat Readiness Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Served August 2, 1990 - December 31, 1994, in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

Lt Col. Jackson retired from active duty, December 31, 1994 at HAFB.

After retirement Steven started his second career as a Financial Adviser for First Command Bank. He then became a site manager at the National Radar Testing Facility.

Steven had many hobbies including golf, woodworking, building models, reading the latest Clive Cussler or Lee Child books and cruising on the lake with his boat. His skilled craftsmanship is evident throughout the beautiful home he built and remodeled for his family.

In 2011, Cynthia passed from battling cancer for three years. After this Steven reconnected with a longtime friend, Martha Bennett, who had lost her first husband to cancer.

Steven and Martha married on December 15, 2013.

Over the next 10 years Steven and Martha spent time traveling between their homes in Maine, Florida and New Mexico. They created many lasting memories with family and friends.

Steven was diagnosed with Warnicke Korsakoff dementia in May of 2023.

Steven is predeceased by his father Edgar Jackson, mother Virginia Jackson, and first wife Cynthia Jackson. He is survived to be forever remembered by his second wife Martha Bennett Jackson, stepchildren and step grandchildren, son Matthew Allen Jackson and siblings, Diane Lee, Cathy Todd and Allen Jackson.

A service will be held at Scenic Chapel on June 18, 2025 at 10 a.m., MST.  All who’d like to attend are welcome and if you are unable to do so, please use the live video link below (available on the day of the service) to watch.

The Family asks for those that are wanting to help to please consider a donation in Steven’s name to the following charities.

Disabled American Veterans

https://www.dav.org/

Alzheimer’s Foundation

https://alzfdn.org/

The Jackson family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel for the memorial service.

To sign the online register book, please visit https://www.scenicchapel.com/.
 

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