DeWayne E. 'Dee' Jackson
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
He was born July 20, 1931, in Monroe County, Michigan. He was raised in Bluffton by Florence Smith Elston in Bluffton. On Jan. 25, 1964, he married Donna Mort Gradeless, who survives.
He graduated from Bluffton High School in 1950, worked at Magnavox and was a member of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 103 for nearly 50 years. He was an asphalt plant operator at Daily Asphalt, Reith & Reilly and retired from S.E. Johnson in 1993. A well-known drummer and band leader, he played on the radio and performed with many well-known bands and singers including Elvis Presley. Dee was the leader of the King Jackson Trio which performed at supper clubs and social events across Northern Indiana. He made his home in Bluffton and later Blue Lake before moving north of Larwill 40 years ago. He was a member of Avion Travelcade Club and an associate member of the Sons of the Revolution of the State of Indiana. In recent years he spent the winter months in Florida, specifically Frostproof and Sebring.
Also surviving are a daughter, Sherry L. (and spouse Steven) Lee, Albion; three sons: Dr. Donald E. Gradeless, Winona Lake; Steven W. Gradeless, Almond, Wis.; and Rex L. (and spouse Sally) Gradeless, Auburn; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton.
Calling is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
*****
Condolences may be sent via www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com
[[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
He was born July 20, 1931, in Monroe County, Michigan. He was raised in Bluffton by Florence Smith Elston in Bluffton. On Jan. 25, 1964, he married Donna Mort Gradeless, who survives.
He graduated from Bluffton High School in 1950, worked at Magnavox and was a member of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 103 for nearly 50 years. He was an asphalt plant operator at Daily Asphalt, Reith & Reilly and retired from S.E. Johnson in 1993. A well-known drummer and band leader, he played on the radio and performed with many well-known bands and singers including Elvis Presley. Dee was the leader of the King Jackson Trio which performed at supper clubs and social events across Northern Indiana. He made his home in Bluffton and later Blue Lake before moving north of Larwill 40 years ago. He was a member of Avion Travelcade Club and an associate member of the Sons of the Revolution of the State of Indiana. In recent years he spent the winter months in Florida, specifically Frostproof and Sebring.
Also surviving are a daughter, Sherry L. (and spouse Steven) Lee, Albion; three sons: Dr. Donald E. Gradeless, Winona Lake; Steven W. Gradeless, Almond, Wis.; and Rex L. (and spouse Sally) Gradeless, Auburn; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton.
Calling is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
*****
Condolences may be sent via www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092