Obituary for Claude Anthony Jackson
On Thursday, February 17th, 2022, Claude Anthony Jackson–loving husband, father, and devoted Tata–left this world far too soon, but surrounded by his heartbroken, adoring family.
Anthony was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to Claude C. and Mary Lou Jackson. He was raised in Casa Grande, Arizona before he made his way to Mesa, Arizona. Here he attended Mesa Community College and Arizona State University. It was at MCC that Anthony met his future bride, Rita. During this time, he also began his career with the United States Border Patrol.
Rita and Anthony were married in 1979 and started life as newlyweds in Yuma, Arizona. Anthony’s career took them from Arizona to Georgia to Idaho, and they had five children along the way. What began as a 2-year assignment in Twin Falls became a career, where Rita and Anthony raised their family and called home.
After 34 years with the USBP, Anthony retired and started the best part of his life– being a full time grandfather, or Tata, to his grandchildren. While Anthony was an excellent husband and wonderful father, his true calling was to be a Tata. He never missed a sporting event, play, or concert if his grandkids were there. The years after retirement were too few and too fast, but filled by his family with love, laughter, water slides, basketball, video games, music, fruit snacks, yard work and a pitching machine. There are so many things that Anthony loved that will make us think of him always: Christmas lights, new gadgets, buying, selling, and listening to antique records, Winnie the Pooh, Peanuts, traveling to Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives or driving through the Arizona desert, just to name a few.
Anthony is survived by his wife of 42 years, Rita, children Brianna Rodriguez (Simon), Margaret Jackson, Claude Justin Jackson (Lisa), Emily O’Connor (James), Jane Kelly Jackson, grandchildren Olivia, Alicia, Jordan, Gabriel, Zachary, Madeline, and Elias, and bonus grandchildren Zoe, Isabella, McKayla, and Cam, brother Andrew (Lisa), and sister Amy (Todd).
He was preceded in death by his parents Claude and Mary Lou, sister Annette, and granddaughter Elizabeth. We know Tata has resumed his duties taking care of his granddaughter in heaven.
The Jackson family would like to thank the nurses and physicians at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Intensive Care Unit for the care they provided to Anthony as he battled for his life against the virus. We also urge the COVID-19 vaccine to all who are eligible and remain unvaccinated.
There will be a funeral mass on Friday. February 25, 2022 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Twin Falls, starting at 2:00 pm. There will be a rosary at St. Edward's Catholic Church at 1:30 pm. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to local youth sports and arts associations.
Anthony was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to Claude C. and Mary Lou Jackson. He was raised in Casa Grande, Arizona before he made his way to Mesa, Arizona. Here he attended Mesa Community College and Arizona State University. It was at MCC that Anthony met his future bride, Rita. During this time, he also began his career with the United States Border Patrol.
Rita and Anthony were married in 1979 and started life as newlyweds in Yuma, Arizona. Anthony’s career took them from Arizona to Georgia to Idaho, and they had five children along the way. What began as a 2-year assignment in Twin Falls became a career, where Rita and Anthony raised their family and called home.
After 34 years with the USBP, Anthony retired and started the best part of his life– being a full time grandfather, or Tata, to his grandchildren. While Anthony was an excellent husband and wonderful father, his true calling was to be a Tata. He never missed a sporting event, play, or concert if his grandkids were there. The years after retirement were too few and too fast, but filled by his family with love, laughter, water slides, basketball, video games, music, fruit snacks, yard work and a pitching machine. There are so many things that Anthony loved that will make us think of him always: Christmas lights, new gadgets, buying, selling, and listening to antique records, Winnie the Pooh, Peanuts, traveling to Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives or driving through the Arizona desert, just to name a few.
Anthony is survived by his wife of 42 years, Rita, children Brianna Rodriguez (Simon), Margaret Jackson, Claude Justin Jackson (Lisa), Emily O’Connor (James), Jane Kelly Jackson, grandchildren Olivia, Alicia, Jordan, Gabriel, Zachary, Madeline, and Elias, and bonus grandchildren Zoe, Isabella, McKayla, and Cam, brother Andrew (Lisa), and sister Amy (Todd).
He was preceded in death by his parents Claude and Mary Lou, sister Annette, and granddaughter Elizabeth. We know Tata has resumed his duties taking care of his granddaughter in heaven.
The Jackson family would like to thank the nurses and physicians at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Intensive Care Unit for the care they provided to Anthony as he battled for his life against the virus. We also urge the COVID-19 vaccine to all who are eligible and remain unvaccinated.
There will be a funeral mass on Friday. February 25, 2022 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Twin Falls, starting at 2:00 pm. There will be a rosary at St. Edward's Catholic Church at 1:30 pm. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to local youth sports and arts associations.