Ralph Myron Jackson

Ralph Myron Jackson died peacefully on July 2, 2025, surrounded by family, four months from his 93rd birthday. Born on October 23, 1932, to Ralph Moss Jackson and Ella Delilah Burningham in Bountiful, Utah, Dad was raised in the loving care of his parents and grandparents. He had a special connection to his grandmother and grandfather—one that would echo in the relationship he had with his own children and grandchildren. He was a talented athlete and competed in baseball, basketball, football, and wrestling throughout his childhood. He graduated from Ontario High School (Oregon) in 1950, then joined the Army shortly thereafter. 

Dad served a tour of duty in the Korean War as an Army Paratrooper. Throughout his military service he was also active in the military’s football leagues. After the war he became a proud member of a tournament football team, commissioned by General Douglas MacArthur, to compete in Japan. Spirited retellings of his team parachuting onto the football fields at the beginning of the games never failed to draw smiles around the dinner table. At the conclusion of his term in the Army, Dad set out on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Northwestern States mission, helping to spread the gospel in Washington and Oregon, as well as to pioneer proselytizing efforts in Alaska.

Dad returned from his mission and made his way to Southern California where he met our Mother, Charlene Anne Brague. They enjoyed a courtship of dancing, ball games, and cruising around in his convertible ’56 Ford T-Bird. They were married on May 31, 1958, in the Los Angeles, California Temple for time and all eternity and began to build their family. Dad received his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and his master’s degree from the University of Utah. He was a lifelong fan of BYU sports, especially BYU football. Many of his grandchildren have fond memories of attending games with him. His career would lead him across the western United States as he worked in multiple agencies as a programs director for LDS Family Services. His career would culminate in 32 years of work devoted to the harmony of couples, families, and individuals.

Dad retired, but remained restless to find more ways to serve. In retirement, he and Mom would serve three separate full-time missions for the LDS Church: one in the Pacific Islands (comprising New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji), another at church headquarters in Salt Lake City, and finally, as members of the temple presidency for the Manila, Philippines temple. He was a lifelong scholar of the gospel and served in many leadership callings in the church. His favorite calling was being a temple sealer - he found great joy in uniting families in temples across the world.

Dad’s greatest joy was his family. He was a husband who honored and loved his wife, a father who was attentive and cared for each of his children, and a grandfather who wrestled and roughhoused with his grandchildren. He was a personable man who noticed others, welcomed them, befriended them, and made them feel better—no matter who they were, where they came from, or what path they had walked. He always had a smile and a joke ready for everyone. People from all walks of life were frequently welcomed to our home, invited there by our caring father. His posterity inherits from him a legacy of instinctive love, selfless service, and laughter.

Dad is preceded in death by our brother, David Jackson (1961-1997). He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Charlene Brague Jackson, and six children: John (Christine) Jackson, Kellie (Kelsey) Chatfield, Carrie Jackson Chong, Connie Jackson, Jennifer (Brent) Holtry, and Joseph Jackson. He has 22 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and 1 more great-great-grandchild on the way.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 10th, 2025, at the Suncrest 9th Ward, 140 North 400 West, Orem, Utah. There will be a viewing from 9:30-10:30 AM followed by Funeral Services which will begin at 11 AM. He will be buried with military honors at the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park at Camp Williams in Bluffdale, Utah.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.