Ronald Lloyd "Ron" Jackson, 79, Minot, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2008, at Trinity Hospital, Minot.

Ron was born Jan. 5, 1929, in Odin, IL, the second child of Dorothy Jones-Jackson and Jerry Jackson. The family moved to Paris, KY. Upon graduating from Paris High School in 1946 Ron enlisted in the Air Force and was sent to SAAC Field. He went to San Antonio, Texas, for basic training. In September 1946 he was sent to Geiger Field, Spokane, Wash., enrolled in construction foreman school, graduating in December 1946, and was assigned to 807th Engineering Aviation Battalion, a newly formed entity. He then moved to Fort George Wright, Spokane, WA (C Company). He used his training in the Spokane area building roads and bridges.

On Jan. 10, 1947, he was assigned to Hanford, WA, home of Hanford Atomic Energy Plant, to install a runway that made it possible for atomic bomb material to be flown out of Hanford instead of transported by truck and train. The runway was completed in record time and the men received citations for their effort.

He was then sent to Fort Lewis, Seattle, WA for departure to Alaska on April 10, 1947. The ship "Stetson Victory" landed at Fort Whittier five days later and on April 18, arrived by train at Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, AK. The men were told they could not tell anyone where they were going or why. Upon arrival the men were told they could not write letters as there were undercover FBI men integrated with the troops. They built the runway, five miles long, the longest in the world, to accommodate the largest aircraft that were to be built. The base is now called Eilson Air Force Base.

Ron had a beautiful voice but was painfully shy so after much encouragement from his friends he sang in the C Company Quartet at the USO and other places.

Ron also played basketball, baseball, ping pong, softball, horseshoes, and touch football. He was a member of "Final Four Team" that competed in ADAK, AK (Aleutian Islands) Armed Forces Tournament consisting of all-stars from the Army-Air Force, Navy, Marines and Special Forces from the entire Alaskan command. On April 1, 1949. Ron was discharged at Fort Lewis following two years in Alaska and headed to Richland, WA, with buddies Gene Jambor from North Branch, Mich., Harry Herrington from Coffee Springs, AL, and Alton Tunny Brooks from Lumberton, NC.

On Ron's return to Kentucky he enrolled in the School of Engineering at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, under the GI Bill. He earned a degree in architectural/structural and civil engineering. After graduation, he accepted a job offer with North American Aviation in El Segundo, CA. He was then offered positions with Harvey Aluminum, Torrance, CA; the State of California; and then back to North American Aviation.

Ron married LaVonne Sorensen April 14, 1968, in the Congregational United Church of Christ, Chatsworth, CA. Ron did not like California and after visiting Minot with LaVonne, he loved the city, the quietness, freedom and the beauty of the entire state. Ron and LaVonne moved to Minot and Ron accepted a position as assistant city engineer working with Burt Peckham, Alan Walter and other city employees during the 1969 flood. However, North American Aviation did not want him to leave there and asked him to return, making him an offer he could not refuse. They returned to California until Ron retired in 1990.

While living in California, Ron attended the Disciples of Christ Church and sang in the choir, led by an energetic director Don Marburger who produced three musical extravaganzas each year such as "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Phantom of the Opera" etc. Ron was often the master of ceremony as well as doing solos, singing with the choir and at weddings.

In Minot, Ron was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ and a life member of the Elks, Minot Lodge #1089. Ron also carried memberships with the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Air Museum, both of Minot.

Ron was a very kind man who was also very private and loved to stay home working around the house. He loved to work with his hands and he made many dresses, suits, etc. for LaVonne and special friends. Ron loved animals and took special care of his dogs, John Henry, Aquarius, Shortsy, Jewel, Dixie, and LaVonnes horse, Bucky. LaVonne purchased a 100-year-old sleigh and Ron re-upholstered it in gold velvet and painted it red for Bucky to pull one North Dakota Christmas.

Ron and LaVonne were great cooks and loved to make dinners for friends and relatives. In California, they always had the holiday dinners for relatives and friends from North Dakota who had no immediate family there.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Dorothy (Jones) Jackson; brother, Keith Jackson; and brother-in-law, Larry Wagoner; and, his stepson, Paul Brent Muus.

In addition to those already named, the following shared in his life: brothers, Phillip (Mary Lee) Jackson, Paris, KY, and Jim (Bonnie) Titusville, FL; sisters, Jerry Ann (Jim) McFarland, North Middletown, KY, Janice (Mel) Boyd, Lexington, KY, Sharon Wagoner, Paris, KY, Brenda Sommers, Lexington, KY.

Ron was once married to Margaret "Peggy" Russell, from California. To this union, his son, Ronald Russell Jackson, was born, now living in Beverly Hills, CA. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

At Ron's request, cremation took place. He did not wish to have a funeral service, however, family and friends are invited to sign the register book Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.