Obituary

Martin Luther James Jackson Sr, 85, of Phoenix, Arizona died August 1, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona.  He was born October 11, 1935 in Dermott, Arkansas to Simuel Joseph Jackson and Crystal Lee Jackson.

Luther was the youngest of 5 children. Luther spent his early childhood in Dermott where he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and swimming in the ponds and creeks. Luther’s parents divorced when he was a teenager and he moved with his father to Oakland California.

It was in high school in Oakland where his love for music began it started with his playing the trombone in his high school marching band. Luther also picked up playing the guitar and singing the blues. Luther moved from Oakland to Gary Indiana where he completed high school. Luther and his brother Joseph became members of a popular singing group known as the Falcons.

Luther married Bobbie Rose and the marriage produced 6 children. Luther went to work in the steel mills in Gary working two jobs to provide for his family. His work schedule forced him to withdraw from the Falcons group but he continued to play and sing the blues in the Gary Chicago area sitting in with blues musicians like Howling Wolf, BB and Albert king to name a few.

Luther was great with children he loved to sing, dance, and play games. He was also a good teacher and instrumental in teaching his nephews, known as the Jackson 5, how to play the guitar and sing harmony. Luther divorced and moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he went to work as a sheet metal shearer for a local manufacturing company. Luther held many jobs and also operated his own dump truck company Jacksons Trucking. Luther would meet and marry Angie Jackson with her daughter and they would produce one child.

Luther was a kind, loving person always smiling and enjoying life. Luther’s warm and friendly personality fostered many friendships and relationships with people he would meet. He was a natural in the kitchen, cooking any kind of soul food you desired. It was natural to hear him whistling and singing while he was preparing his meals. He would always offer you a cold one to wash down the meal. Luther was an awesome loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Brother, and friend.

Luther was proceeded in death by his mother and father, siblings, Verna Mae, Lawrence, Joseph, and Lula Mae.

Luther leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Angie, children, Marie, Marty, Ronnie, Shawn, Keith, Trent, Angela, and Leah, sister, Sherry, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and host of other family and friends.

A service will be held at Thompson Funeral Chapel on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 8am.  He will be buried at Resthaven Park East Cemetery on August 14, 2021 at 12pm.  Please plan on wearing a mask if you attend the funeral.  The family has also asked that no one photograph Martin.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to his Go Fund Me at Fundraiser by Leah Jackson : Funeral & Memorial Service (gofundme.com)