David Houston Jackson Jr.

David Jackson Jr. was born in Antoine, AR, on December 25, 1932, to David and Marcille Jackson. He was nicknamed “Sug” and grew up in Hot Springs, AR where he attended Douglas Elementary School and went on to graduate from Langston High School. He was baptized at an early age under the leadership of the Rev. R.C. Woods, Pastor of Roanoke Baptist Church in Hot Springs, AR.

David married his high school sweetheart Melba Evans and to this union, they were blessed with four daughters: Wanda Young of Chicago, IL, Sharon LaTour (deceased) of Salt Lake City, UT, Anita Jackson of Antioch, CA, and Davette Jackson of Chicago, IL.  He also fathered Ralph (Miesha) Jackson of Little Rock, AR, Hamzah Ibnnorene of Salt Lake City, UT, and daughter Lanita (Hubert) William of San Bernardino, CA.

After living his adult life in Utah, he relocated and settled in Little Rock, AR where he met and married Janet Hayes. To this union, he added what he fondly referred to as his bonus daughters; Monica Brown and Shantya Wright of Little Rock, AR, Theresa Wright (Renardo) of Conway, AR, and Regina (Dariq) Young of Sherwood, AR.

He was preceded in death by his father: David Jackson Sr., his mother: Marcille Brock Jackson, his sisters: Davye Mae Jackson and Lillie Elease Cole, all of Hot Springs, AR.

David loved his family. He was always giving life experience advice and would do anything to help those who were in need whether you were a family member, friend, or stranger.  David Jackson Jr. leaves to cherish his memory brother Flynn Jackson of Pearland, TX, sisters: Dr. Louise (Arthur) Jones and Shirley Thomas both of Jackson, MS, special sister-in-law: Mary Eubanks of Clarendon, AR, and a great number of grandchildren, great-grands, nieces, nephew and all who loved and knew him as Papa David.

David experienced ups and downs during his lifetime but overcame the downs and was restored and enjoyed many happy years with family and friends. He loved to talk about his experiences as a waiter and working with his father at the Arlington hotel in Hot Springs, AR. During that time, at the age 21, David became a Mason when his father was Worshipful Master of the Fraternal Order of the Masons Lodge in Hot Springs, AR. 

You would have to look everywhere to find someone who loved sweets more than David. As a young adult and later in life, he would look forward to eating his mother's coconut cake  and sweet potato pie. The cake would be topped with fresh coconut and layers of crushed pineapples. The sweet potato pie was so good that he later phrased it as "gliggery". Even now, his siblings fondly use his word.

David left Hot Springs and became a business person owning thoroughbred race horses and Dave's Bar B Q restaurant in Salt Lake City,Utah. Aside from sharing memories about his children, grandchildren, family and work experiences in Arkansas and other states, he would love talking about time he spent with his father as a boy and later in life. His proudest time was being able to retire his father to spend many years together traveling from state to state racing his thoroughbred horses. He was so happy to see his father proudly wear tailor made suits to the racetracks and church.

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