JARED JUDD JACKSON
Age 91, of Gibsonia, PA, Jared Judd Jackson entered into his eternal rest on March 29, 2022 at Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford less than twelve hours after arriving, surrounded the previous evening by his loving wife and dear children. The presence of a lingering deer at the window reminded us of how much Jared loved God’s creation and its splendor. Born July 26,1930 to Prof. William Alexander Jackson and Dorothy Judd Jackson. After spending his early years in Honolulu, Hawaii with his Maternal grandparents, Jared grew up in Cambridge, MA in a home of scholarship and amazing books and developed a love for reading. His formal education included Groton School ‘48 and Harvard College ’52. Jared enlisted in the Marines and became a First Lieutenant during the Korean War. Hearing a call from God to pursue ministry, he resigned from the Corps and attended Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA. Having already studied Greek, he was told he would take Hebrew. Within a few weeks he fell in love with the study of Hebrew and it became his life’s mission. He was ordained an Episcopal priest and served several parishes. His doctoral studies at Union Theological Seminary with Dr. James Muilenburg, a pioneer in the field of rhetorical criticism of the Old Testament, shaped Jared’s life long passion for teaching Hebrew Scripture. He held teaching positions at Huron College, Ontario, Canada, Williams College, and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where he was also adjunct faculty to the University of Pittsburgh. For a year or two while teaching at the seminary he took a bus to Toronto on weekends to study Hieroglyphics and Ancient Egypt with a leading Professor Williams at the University of Toronto. Within the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, Father Jared helped form St. Albans in Murrysville, and assisted at Calvary Episcopal Church and the Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill.
After his retirement from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1997, Prof. Jared had more time for his other passions: supporting the Pittsburgh Penguins and watching or attending as many games as possible; teaching Hebrew to Metro-Urban Institute students who wanted to learn; volunteering with Up for Reading at Emmanuel Episcopal Church; becoming a Study Circle facilitator for the YWCA Anti-racism Center; starting a Bible conversation at St. Brendans Episcopal Church, and more recently starting a Bible Study at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Homewood, where he assisted with services. Jared had a huge heart
for Racial/Social Justice and proudly marched and served with PIIN, Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network. His mantra for life was in the words of Dorothy Day, “whoever does not see God in the poor is an atheist indeed.”
Jared’s special joy each summer was ‘leaving the tropics’ and going to Otter Island in the Bayfield Inlet of Georgian Bay. He could swim, kayak, canoe and enjoy the majestic pines and colorful sunsets. He treasured welcoming family and dear friends to his island paradise and hoped Otter Island would be a place his family could always gather and relax. Jared sang ‘Oh Canada” every time he crossed the Peace Bridge at Fort Erie and when he was watching a hockey game.
Jared is survived by his loving wife and caregiver, Cynthia, and their dog Maggie. Jared and Cynthia blended their families on July 21, 1984 in marriage. Jared’s children with Barbara Nowell Jackson are Nathaniel Jackson (Amy) of Vienna, VA, and Rebecca Jackson Stoeckle (Andrew) of Little Compton, Rhode Island. Grandchildren Will Stoeckle (Jecca) and Nellie Stoeckle (partner Hart) of San Francisco, CA. Jared’s children with Marianna Priest Jackson are Susanna Jackson and Stephen Jackson (Laurie) of Canton, Ohio. Grandchildren Madilyn and Kaitlyn Jackson. Cynthia’s children Sara Britt (Sean) of Allison Park, PA and their son Jack Britt and Joshua Bonnett (partner Jessica).
No Visitation, A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Jared Judd Jackson will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Homewood later this Spring. Another service for family and friends will be held at Otter Island this Summer. Interment will take place at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA. Remembrances can be made to the Church of the Holy Cross, 7507 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
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