Merle Jackson

    Merle Francis Jackson of Holyoke died Jan. 16, 2018, at the age of 75. He was born in Haxtun on March 8, 1942, to Henry Merle Jackson and Florence Marie (Johnson) Jackson.
    Growing up on the family farm east of Holyoke,   Merle discovered his passion for horses and cattle — a passion that would follow him through the entirety of his days. He rode his first pony before the age of 5. At age 9, he joined the Better Beef Makers 4-H Club and showed many champion steers at county fairs, state fairs and national livestock shows. He continued raising cattle with an emphasis on 4-H steers and was never without a horse until his death.
    In high school, Merle’s passion led him to rodeo. By his junior year he was an accomplished bareback bronco rider and bull rider. After graduating from Holyoke High, his journey took him to Colorado State University as a member of the rodeo team.
    When there was no rodeo to attend, Merle could be found with friends who owned racehorses in Brush. As a young man, he left Holyoke in 1963 and enjoyed a brief career training cutting horses in Kansas, Illinois and Nebraska before returning to Holyoke.
    His passion for horses and cattle came second only to his love for family and his grandchildren. He took great pride in visiting his grandchildren and attending their school events. When he was able to combine a family visit with a rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas, steer wrestling finals in Wichita, Kansas, or the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, that was, in Merle’s words, “a pretty neat deal.”
    Merle was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Florence.
    He is survived by six daughters, Wesley Lane of Houston, Texas, Terri and husband Ken Todd of Houston, Tracy Burnett of Houston, Kelly Phillips of Fort Worth, Dawn and husband Michael Worley of Evanston, Wyoming, and Deah Falkner of Omaha, Nebraska; sister, Willa and husband Charles DeCastro of Wichita; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and one niece and two nephews.
    Friends are invited to join the family for a memorial service Saturday, Jan. 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Baucke Funeral Home in Holyoke. The family will have a private ceremony at a later date to disperse Merle’s ashes at Palo Duro Canyon, one of his favorite places.
    In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund to benefit the Phillips County Pavilion and Education Center is established in Merle’s name. Checks made payable to Phillips County Pavilion and Education Center should be sent to Baucke Funeral Home, 1220 SW Interocean Dr., Holyoke, CO 80734.