Opha Lee "Jack" Jackson

September 25, 1925 - October 4, 2020

Opha Lee “Jack” Jackson, 95, of Ft. McCoy, Florida passed away Sunday, October 4, 2020. Jack was born in Sutton, West Virginia on September 25, 1925 to Arley and Roxie (Butler) Jackson. Jack was a veteran that honorably served in the U.S. Marine Corp for 4 years from November 9, 1943 to February 13, 1947. Years after serving in U.S. Marine Corp he wanted to pay tribute to all the men and women that served along side of him and for years to come by writing a poem entitled “The Wall” Soft and low, their voices come, From distant shores, their jobs now done, On gentle breezes, ride their names, While rice paddies hold their last remains. Home at last, friends have heard their call, Now it's a granite slab, the lonely "Wall", Only hero's names fill the honored space, Now thousands strong, they march in place. Old comrades visit, now sick and lame, For tortured hours, they search for names, Thousands more came, but the only sound, Are the teardrops shed, that hit the ground. How did this happen, who's to blame, An opposite wall should hold their names, And those alive, who still live nice, Be sentenced to pay an equal price. 12 hours each day, let them heed the call To read the names on the Hero's Wall, And for eternity serve those who died, Fighting an unjust war for someone's pride. Jack is survived by his 3 daughters, Cathryn Gibson, Andrea Health and Diane Fletcher; sister, Hazel Latou; niece, Bernice Latou. And a close friend Anthony Esposito. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2020 from 4:00 – 5:00PM at Banks/Page-Theus Chapel, 410 N. Webster Street Wildwood, Florida 34785. A Graveside Service with Military Honors by the Spring Hill Marine Corp League will be held at the Florida National Cemetery Bushnell, FL on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 10:30AM. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.bankspagetheus.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Banks/Page-Theus Funerals and Cremations, Wildwood.