Winston L Jackson's Obituary
Winston Lemoyne Jackson was born on December 30, 1938, in Pasadena, California, to Samuel and Gladys Peterson Jackson. He passed away peacefully at his home in DeRidder, Louisiana, at the age of 86 on January 30, 2025.
Winston spent his early years growing up on the streets of Los Angeles. His journey took him through diverse paths, including involvement with a biker gang, drag racing, and military service. After his time in the service, he sought to settle down and was introduced to the Mennonites in the Livingston area through an acquaintance in Los Angeles. Jessie and Bernice Siemens became his church family. Winston was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on December 27, 1970, marking the beginning of a life where his Savior, Church, and family were special to him. He made many acquaintances that became dear to him.
As a Christian, Winston worked as a maintenance worker at Grace Nursing Home, where he installed PA systems in rooms and homes connected to Grace. During this time, he met and married Bonnie Decker Koehn on November 21, 1976. Winston embraced the role of a father to two young girls, even learning sign language to communicate with Karla. In Livingston, he worked as a carpenter until the tragic loss of his friend Les Eck, which led him to a career in truck driving, hauling local commodities.
In January of 1995, Winston and Bonnie relocated to DeRidder, Louisiana, to a parcel of land that Bonnie inherited from her father. They began building their home on the corner of Willow Branch Road. In DeRidder, Winston worked at his brother-in-law's dairy, did handyman work, and continuously worked on their home.
Winston's life journey reflects resilience, faith, and dedication to family and community. His legacy is one of hard work, love, and the many lives he touched along the way.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of DeRidder, Louisiana, and five children: Janet and Marvin Nolt of Beausejour, Manitoba; Alice and Andrew Unruh of Scott City, Kansas; Alwin Jackson of Ragley, Louisiana; Preston Jackson of DeRidder, Louisiana; and Heather and Aubrey Hutson of DeRidder, Louisiana. He leaves behind grandchildren: Jeremy and Sara Nolt, Shawn and Danielle Nolt, Jaylyn and TyAnne Nolt, Drew Unruh, Travis Nolt, Megan Unruh, Mason Jackson, Alaya Hutson, Royalty Hutson, Jubilee Hutson, and one great-granddaughter, Emma Nolt.
Winston was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Alan Homstad, and his daughter, Karla Koehn.
Visitation will be on Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at Highland Mennonite Church located at 171 Mennonite Church Loop, DeRidder, LA. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Highland Mennonite Church with Minister Larry Schmidt and Kevin Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Mennonite Cemetery in DeRidder, Louisiana. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of DeRidder
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Jeremy Nolt, Shawn Nolt, Jaylyn Nolt, Travis Nolt, Drew Unruh, and Mason Jackson.
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