Obituary for Harold R. Jackson Harold R. “Piggy” Jackson, age 88, passed away in his Cumru Township residence on April 29, 2018. He was the loving husband of 58 years of Pauline V. Artist, who predeceased him on December 10, 2013. Harold, or “Piggy,” as he was called by many friends and relatives, was born in Reading, PA.
He was the son of the late James Pendleton Jackson and Louise Lola (Wigenton) Jackson. Harold was a 1948 graduate of Reading Senior High School and a 1953 graduate of West Virginia State College, from which he received his B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering. While at West Virginia State, he was a member of the swim team, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and ROTC.
Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Harold’s professional career as an engineer began working for the City of Reading. For the next forty-plus years, he built a career at a number of firms including as a Project Engineer at Gilbert/Commonwealth Inc.; a Technical Adviser and Civil/Sanitary Engineer at Hazen & Sawyer, P.C.; Construction Manager at Mast Engineering Co.; Lead Project Engineer, Amman, Jordan; and Inspector, Motley Engineer Co. Harold also served as the Borough Manager for the Borough of Kenhorst prior to his retirement.
Over the course of nearly 15 years, his work took him to several international locations: American Samoa, Guyana, Yemen Arab Republic and Egypt, where he spent 10 years. “Piggy” was an active member of his local community, serving in various capacities and earning him the Reading B’Nai B’rith Award for his service. In December 1973, he was voted to the Reading School District Board, on which he served until 1977.
He was a committed and beloved member of Washington Presbyterian Church in Reading where he served in a number of roles and responsibilities. Over his time living in Reading, he was a Church Elder, a Trustee Board member, a singer for the church choir, a member of the Men’s Club, and a member of the Church Newsletter Committee. He also volunteered his service for church maintenance in his spare time.
Harold’s priority was always his beloved family who, in his eyes, were his proudest accomplishment. Harold is survived by his son, Stuart W., of NY, NY; and his two daughters, Kim L. of Cairo, Egypt, and Lori A., wife of Charles W. Jackson of Washington, DC. He leaves behind nine grandchildren: Lauren, Taylor, Erin, Yanna, Che, Sage, Xavier, Talia and Andreas, and two great-grandchildren, Leo and Simone.
He was one of the middle Jackson siblings in a family of eleven: Calloway (deceased); Mary (deceased); Ada (deceased); James, Jr. (deceased); Ruth, Reading, PA; Ella, Raleigh, NC; Shirley, Harrisburg, PA; Maurice (deceased); David (deceased), and Janet (deceased). Many nieces and nephews also survive him. A viewing will be held on Friday, May 4th, 2018 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 11 am at Washington Presbyterian Church, 715 N. 10th Street, Reading, PA .
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Washington Presbyterian Church at the above address. Online condolences may be recorded at www. kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
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