Larry H. Jackson

Larry H. Jackson, 69, of Indianapolis, formerly of Shelbyville passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove. Born December 17, 1942, in Shelby County, he was the son of Herbert Jackson and Mildred (Berry) Lown. He married Thelma Louise Blackledge on September 2, 1994, and she survives. Other survivors include his daughter, Shelley (husband, Delbert) Tharp of Shelbyville; son, Brett (wife, Ronda) Jackson of Shelbyville; step-daughters, Michelle Miller and Pamela Skaggs, both of Indianapolis; step-son, William (wife, Liz) Miller of Indianapolis; sister, Shirley (husband, Robert) Weigandt of Birch Run, Michigan; grandchildren, Justin (fiance', Chelsey) Jackson, Brady Jackson, Devon Tharp, Chase Tharp and Hailey Jackson; nine step-grandchildren; an aunt who raised him, Mary Margaret Berry-Alexander of Shelbyville; the mother of his children, Mary Margaret (Vernon) VanMeter of Shelbyville; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Barbara Priest; an uncle who raised him, Maurice Berry; and his grandparents, Ralph and Martha Berry. Mr. Jackson was born and raised in Shelby County and had resided in Indianapolis for the last 18 years. He farmed until 1983 and raised Belgium draft horses and red Hereford cattle. Mr. Jackson drove a bus for Triton Central schools for approximately 25 years and for Shelbyville schools for 10 years. Larry retired from driving a truck for T.R. Brown Trucking and Long Trucking in 1996, after 20 years of driving. He formerly owned and operated Jackson Floor Service and had worked at Damon's Lawn and Garden. Larry graduated from Triton Central High School in 1962. He was an AKC breeder of Boston terriers, raising and selling many pups through the years. His favorite Bostons were his beloved BooBoo and Scooter, for whom he made a special dinner each evening. Mr. Jackson was a member of Old Union Methodist Church, where he was a Sunday school superintendent. Larry enjoyed work and believed in working hard and that there was only one way of doing anything: the right way. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm, Monday, January 16, 2012 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. Funeral services will be at 1 pm, Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at the funeral home, with Rev. Randall Slavans officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to New Life United Methodist Church, 6145 North 400 West, Fairland, Indiana 46126.