1942-2020

Funeral services for Harold Wayne Jackson, 77, of Chickasha, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020 at Epworth United Methodist Church with Reverend Scott Keneda officiating.

Harold Wayne Jackson was born on July 15, 1942 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Vernon Jackson and Irene Elizabeth (Cowley) Jackson. He passed away Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at his home in Chickasha surrounded by his family.

Harold grew up in Marlow and graduated from Marlow High School in 1960, where his football team won the State Championship in 1959. He joined the United States Army Reserves, completed his basic training then attended Southwestern State College getting a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He continued his education at Central State College, receiving a Master of Education degree.

At SWOSU, he met Margaret “Kay” Boyd and they were married on April 7, 1966 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They shared over 43 years of marriage, life and devoted love before Kay passed away in February of 2010 after a long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Harold and Kay both worked for a time in public schools where he taught math and was an assistant wrestling coach. He was a professor at SWOSU and the Assistant Registrar for the Special Education Department. He also began a camp for special needs through the university called Happy Hollow and helped grow the Special Olympics Program here in Oklahoma.

Along with his wife, Kay, he was co-owner of the McDonald’s restaurants in Mt. Pleasant, Texas from 1981 to 1985. He then owned various McDonald’s restaurants in Oklahoma from 1985 to the present, including the Chickasha store.

Harold was extremely civic minded and was active in the Chickasha community. He served on the city council and was the Mayor from 1992 to 1998. He was a Regent on the Board for Regional University Systems of Oklahoma overseeing university operations throughout the state. He was also on the Chickasha Industrial Committee Authority and the Economic Development Council. He was on the Board of the Ronald McDonald House and was a generous supporter of many charities in this community and state.

Harold was hard-working and dreamed of bigger things than his beginnings. He and Kay worked tirelessly remodeling houses, saving, driving many miles and sacrificing much to get their starting funds for their McDonald’s restaurants. He was a great man with a giving heart, driving ambition and powerful presence. Education was very important to him and with Kay they invested in their children and grandchildren’s educations and also had set up several scholarship funds at USAO and SWOSU.

He was preceded in death by both parents, wife Kay, son Darryl, and sister Idarene Jackson.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law Brian and Shelby Jackson of Frisco, Texas; son Craig Jackson and Carrie Sides of Chickasha; daughter Alissa Jackson and James Owens of Chickasha; brother S.A. Jackson of Lawton; aunt Marie Cannaday of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren Brooklyn Jackson, Campbell Jackson, Rhett Jackson and Jackson Owens; many cousins, nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to USAO-Kay and Harold Jackson Scholarship Fund, 1727 W. Alabama, Chickasha, OK 73018.

Interment in Marlow Cemetery will be under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.ferguson-funeralhome.com