Ray Lynn Jackson

Ray Jackson 82 of Roseworth, Idaho passed away May 27, 2025 surrounded by family. He was born on December 22, 1942 in Ogden, Utah to Roy Earl Jackson & Lillie Juanita Sherwood.

After high school Ray attended Utah State University where he studied Animal Husbandry and gained great knowledge of animal behavior, care, and management. His family relocated to Southern Idaho in 1962 and Ray got a job with Mel Campbell Farming where he met Paulette.

On January 23, 1971 Ray married Paulette and in 1974 they made their home in God’s country on a ranch in Roseworth, Idaho where they farmed, ran cattle and Ray worked for the Canal Company. Together they raised three children of their own, Curtis Glen, Tina Marie, Clinton Ray and opened their home to Tracy Hostetler who they thought of as their third son. They instilled the meaning of hard work and perseverance in their children and grandchildren and gave them memories that will live in their hearts forever.

Ray was a member of the 71 Livestock Association where he served as president and was a recipient of the Lifelong Membership award. He was involved in 4H with his own children showing beef cattle and spent some time as a leader. He continued to help guide his grandchildren in their 4H endeavors and even got to see his great grandson show his first steer.

In later years, Ray and his grandson Kendall ran the farm and ranch together becoming an unstoppable team with a mixture of old and new ways (even though “the old ways worked just fine”) they ensured that the ranch would go on for generations to come.

Ray excelled in almost everything he did in life but being a grandpa and great grandpa (Papa) was by far his greatest attribute. If he wasn’t fishing, farming, cussing cows, or swimming you could find him at a ballpark watching his grandkids play ball and you could be certain he’d want to go grab a bite to eat afterwards.

Ray was by no means sappy but he wore the pride he had for his children and grandchildren on his chest for everyone to see.

Ray was survived by son, Curt Harkins (Renee) of Castleford, Idaho; daughter, Tina Kunkel (Dan) of Twin Falls, Idaho; sister, Marilyn Landers (Mike) of Mountain Home, Idaho; brother, Billy Evans of Twin Falls, Idaho; grandchildren, Jordan, Cassie Champlin (Trent), Kendall Kunkel (Kaitlin), Kyle, Jennifer, Ethan, Roan, EllaBay; and 12 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beautiful wife, Paulette Jackson; son, Clint Jackson; brother, Dale Jackson; and stepfather, Bill Evans.

Donations in Ray's name can be made to the Castleford FFA or any local Castleford 4H Club.

A funeral service will be held Monday, June 2, 2025 at 12:30pm in the Cothern Memorial Gymnasium 500 Main Street, Castleford. There will be a lunch to follow at the Castleford Community Center. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Ray’s memorial webpage www.farmerfuneralchapel.com