Bonnie Sue McEuen

Bonnie Sue McEuen Jackson
“If it’s mission critical, you need redundancy.” Bonnie was the consummate analytic, having an engineering degree in computer science (Cum Laude) from University of Arkansas in 1983. Always appreciated for her critical path logic… She was “one smart cookie”, as Gypsy would say. Bonnie was raised on a farm outside a small town in Arkansas formally known as Victoria. It was wiped off the face of the earth by a tornado, so they renamed it Strong. It may have had something to do with her toughness.
From early on Bonnie demonstrated her intelligence and drive, starting dance at age 3 and playing the piano for her church starting at age 9. She studied Ballet, Tap and Jazz. She played the piano for her high school choir performing in Europe. She was Valedictorian of her regional high school (1979), accepted into MIT and invited to dinner with Governor Bill Clinton. (She turned it all down…too far to drive!)
After college, Bonnie hired on with Texaco Inc. as an Associate Programmer in Houston, TX. As it is with major companies, Bonnie was given assignments from coast to coast, including on site at a refinery. When she was transferred to LA she cried, she had heard so many negatives about CA. When Texaco transferred her back to Houston, she cried again, as she loved LA and her job there having been awarded “Outstanding Women of the Greater Los Angeles”. Texaco and Shell formed a joint venture in 1997. Bonnie had risen rapidly in Texaco so in the new JV, she was promoted to manager of Retail Automation and Facility Design. This high-level position was responsible for a 23,000 store network, largest in the U.S. at that time.
It was during this period that Bonnie met John, a customer of Texaco and Shell. Bonnie left her job to became a consultant in order to avoid a conflict of interest. After a long-distance romance, Bonnie eventually moved to Boise and ultimately left her job as a consultant becoming CIO of Capitol Distributing and ultimately also Jackson Foods, Energy and Jet Center. John used to say, “the only way I could hire talent like Bonnie, was to marry her.” He compared it to having a professional playing on a high school team, it just doesn’t happen. I.T. is the nerve center of any business. What she accomplished coming from a Fortune 50 company to a small business, was legendary.
It wasn’t all work and no play, Bonnie and John enjoyed life too. With her Southern accent and charm, Bonnie was so fun to be around. They traveled the world and saw most events they wanted to see-The Masters, Kentucky Derby, Olympics, Super Bowl, etc. Bonnie learned to land a plane (think mission critical) as John was a pilot. They flew to their homes in La Quinta and McCall regularly, as they both loved to fly, with caution and respect for aviation.
Bonnie was a sweet, kind person with not a mean bone in her body. She was the epitome of giving and sharing, always thinking of others but very competitive and hid it well, surprising many adversaries in business and life. A great judge of character and excellent leader. Mentoring many coworkers who have advanced their careers as well. Rarely does one meet someone like Bonnie-intelligent, kind, rational, talented in the arts and athletics, all the while understated in ego.
She loved her family, friends, and pets. Enjoyed dance, tennis, golf, riding horses, water and snow skiing and life in general. She fought a hard, 5-year battle for her life with grit, grace and intelligence. Her will to live was extraordinary. Bonnie will be missed but not forgotten by all who knew her. God is getting a beautiful angel. They must have needed help with I.T. in heaven.
Bonnie is proceeded in death by her parents, Chester Leonard and Omega Anderson Leonard and Mother in Law, Gypsy Jackson. Survived by John Jackson, husband. Stepsons, Cory Jackson and spouse Richelle and Jeff Jackson. Grandsons, Dallas and Jace Jackson, granddaughters Taylor and Kaitlyn Jackson. Cousin, Larry King and spouse Mollie, Sister in Law and Brother in Law, Andrea Jackson and Terry Sevy. Niece and nephew, Piper Jackson Sevy and Connor Jackson Sevy.
The family would like to extend a warm thank you to all who were involved in Bonnie’s care.
Funeral services for Bonnie will be on Friday June 16, 2017 at 1 pm at the Cathedral of the Rockies, 717 N 11th St, Boise, ID. 83702. There will be a private family graveside directly following the service at Morris Hill Cemetery, with a reception to follow.