Uland Jackson

Uland C. "Bud" Jackson went "home" on July 21, 2012 at the age of 93 years and 24 days in Grand Island, Nebraska. He was born June 27, 1919 on a farm near Cordova, Nebraska to Zeb H. and Anna M. (Herbst) Jackson. He grew up on farms in York County and later Lincoln County with his parents and two sisters Estella and Lorene.

He began his high school education in McCool Junction and graduated high school at Ingham, Nebraska in 1937. After completing a general business education at North Platte School of Commerce in 1940 he worked for Sound & Kiewit Construction Company in Washington State.

In June of 1941, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Bud reported to Fort Leavenworth Kansas the day after his 22nd birthday. His tour of duty in Europe from September 1943 through September 1945 took him to England, France, Belgium, and Germany. He was a member of the 3rd Armored Division of the 32nd Armored Regiment. Nicknamed SPEARHEAD because First Army orders so frequently read, "The Third Armored Division will spearhead the attack," the Division spent 221 days in combat and is credited with the decisive destruction of 14 German Divisions. Spearhead took 76,720 prisoners (5 times it's own total strength) and destroyed 6,751 pieces of enemy equipment, including 1794 tanks and 942 special purpose guns, while holding it's own casualty figure to 10,371. From June 1944 through May 1945 the 3 Armored earned five Battle Stars; Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. Bud returned to the United States September 28, 1945 and was discharged from the military service on October 9, 1945.

Following his service to his country he received on-the-job training with Frank M. Bowen Public Accounting Company in North Platte. For several years he worked in Gothenburg for Gothenburg Farm Equipment and Lepp & Osterloh Inc. In 1957 he moved to Denver and began a career with Massey Ferguson, Inc. as accountant and office supervisor.

On May 4, 1958, he was united in marriage to Dylores May Berg at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gothenburg. They established their home and were employed in Denver until their retirement. After several years of retirement in Denver with visits to friends and relatives in Arizona they made the move to Sun City, Arizona in 1994. During their retirement years they enjoyed entertaining family and friends, Willowbrooke United Methodist Church activities, traveling to the 3" Armored Reunions across the United States, playing cards, dining out, and maintaining an immaculate home and yard. Bud was a member and officer of the Lions Club, a member of Sun City Nebraska Club, a 50 year member of the Mason and a 50 year member of the VFW.

In November, 2009 Bud and Dee returned to Nebraska to reside in an Independent Living Apartment in Grand Island.

May 4-7th, 2012; Bud had the privilege of traveling to Washington, D.C. as a member of the Hall County Hero Flight for World War II Veterans. The highlight for him was visiting the World War II Memorial.

He is survived by his sister, Estella Tillotson, Gothenburg; a brother-in-law, Ted Whittingham, Denver; nephews, John L (Kay) Schurr and Jerry (Linda) Schurr both of Farnam; niece, Janet (John) Speck of St. Paul, Nebraska. Great-nephews Heath (Tiffany) Reinders & Adrianna, Jerud Schurr, Chase & Ryleigh, Ty Schurr, Marty (Shelly) Schurr, Adalyn & Gavon, and Ryan (Kari)Schurr & Luke and Great-niece, Paige (Jeff) Kreycik, Presley, Dawson & Jack, and numerous cousins and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Dylores in 2011, a sister, Lorene Whittingham, Brothers-in-law, John J. Schurr and LeRoy Tillotson and a great nephew Wayne Schurr.

Bud will be greatly missed by many friends and relatives. He is remembered for his sharp wit, broad smile, honesty and integrity, sharing of stories and jokes and all the qualities of those of the "Great Generation". As he heard so many times on his trip to Washington, D.C. "Thank you for your service to your country". And thank you for being a true friend to so many and a treasured family member.


Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Sunday, July 29, 2012 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

Funeral Services will be held at First United Methodist Church, July 30, 2012 at 2:00 pm with Dr. Jeff Thurman officiating.

Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 80526, Lincoln, NE 68501, Farnam Senior Center, or First United Methodist Church, 1401 Lake Ave Gothenburg, NE 69138. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.