J. Robert "Bob" Jackson

J. Robert (Bob) Jackson, 90, of Boise, died January 7, 2018, at home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 20, 2018, at Cloverdale Funeral Home, Boise, Idaho.

Bob was born May 25, 1927 in Cambridge, Idaho, the first son of James and Elsie Pearl (Huntsinger) Jackson.

Bob was an outstanding high school baseball player, lettering as a freshman, and becoming the only 4-year letter winner at Boise High in any sport at the time. He was the starting shortstop his last three years, and one of the leading hitters.
In 1945 Bob graduated from Boise High. In the spring of that year he was invited to a Philadelphia Phillies tryout camp, and performed so well that he was invited to spring training camp after military duty.

After high school, Bob joined the U. S. Navy and served through summer 1946. Most of his service was aboard the USS Chicago, a heavy cruiser. During his military service he suffered a serious leg injury, which ended his aspirations to play professional baseball.

Following service in the Navy, Bob enrolled at the University of Idaho, earning a bachelors degree in business with a major in accounting in 1950. While a university student, he married Gloria Roe, May 21, 1948, in Payette. They had five children, and later divorced.

After college Bob successfully completed the Certified Public Accountant examinations and had a 30-year career in the profession with the firm of Jackson, Messuri, and Bates. During this time he obtained certification as a practitioner of the Tax Court of the United States.

While working as a CPA in Caldwell, Bob was active in the Caldwell community. He was honored with inclusion in Who’s Who in America, 1970-71 Edition. He was a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Lodge, and Kiwanis International. He continued his membership in Kiwanis for over 65 years, gaining Legion of Honor recognition; his service in Kiwanis was quite varied, and included a stint as President of the Boise Club.

In 1981 Bob retired from public accounting and pursued an MBA degree at the University of Idaho. After earning that degree, he became an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, teaching Tax and Accounting courses for several years.

Bob was a loyal supporter of the University of Idaho and Vandal Athletics. He served several years on the Vandal Booster National Board of Directors, including two terms as Board President in the 1970s.

He married Bonnie Jean Luby Allen on October 5, 1992, and they enjoyed many wonderful years together—spending time with family, relaxing at their mountain cabin near Cascade, and wintering in Arizona—until her passing in June 2012. He provided loving care to her in her time of illness, and he greatly mourned her passing.

Bob is survived by his five children: son Steve (Lynn) of Salt Lake City, daughter Vicki Hauser (Alan) of Boise, son Brad of Boise, son Brent of Boise, and son Danny (Christi) of Gaithersburg, MD. In addition he is survived by 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear friend, Lois Hurless. In his final years, she was a special part of his life.

Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Jo Charlton, his first wife, Gloria, his wife, Bonnie Jean, and his brother Dick.

Bob requested that memorials be made to: the J. Robert Jackson Scholarship Endowment Fund with the University of Idaho Foundation, PO Box 443147, Moscow, ID 83844; The Idaho Humane Society, 4775 Dorman St., Boise 83705; or charity of choice.

Services are under the direction of Cloverdale Funeral Home. Tributes and condolences may be left for the family at www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com.