Carl Jackman

A memorial service for Reginald Carl Jackman is scheduled for 2:30 PM Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the Caudle-Rutledge-Daugherty Funeral Home in Lindale, Texas. Carl passed away early Sunday, August 29, 2021 at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas. He was preceded in death by his younger brothers Ralph Jackman and John Jackman, and stepson Mark Heckler. He is survived by his wife, Janice Koehler Jackman of Lindale, his son Bruce Jackman and wife, Laura, granddaughter Keri Jackman and husband Matt Greatens, and great-grandchildren Blakely and Gentry, all of Houston, stepdaughter Cindy Heckler Pointer and husband Jason of Lindale. He is also survived by brother-in-law Richard Koehler and wife Inga of Visby, Sweden, sister-in-law Judy Johnson of Henderson, brother-in-law James Koehler of Decatur, sister-in-law Shirley Jackman of Columbus, Indiana, sister-in-law Norma Jackman of West Warwick, Rhode Island, and many nieces and nephews. Carl was the eldest of three sons of Reginald and Emelie Slocum Jackman. He was born on November 25, 1935 in North Kingstown, Rhode Island and spent most of his youth in nearby Wakefield, where his father ran an upholstery store. His first jobs were working for his uncle in his grocery store and working the projector at the local movie theater (a job which, at the time, required an official projectionist license!). He graduated from University of Rhode Island with a degree in Physics, then attended graduate school at Ohio State University earning a Master’s in Physics and Theoretical Mathematics. He started his career in the NASA space program in Houston in 1966 with TRW, where he used his advanced understanding of trajectories to design computer guidance systems for bringing astronauts home safely. He did this first in the Apollo program, then for the Space Shuttle, before retiring from IBM in 1992. After relocating to East Texas, Carl taught physics at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins for several years before retiring again for good in the late 90s. Carl grew up in a Christian home, was a long-time member of Clear Lake Baptist Church, where he taught many Bible classes and was later involved in the singles ministry (where he met Jan!) He attended Houston Theological Seminary, became a licensed Baptist Minister and wrote a book about the Book of Revelation. He spent the rest of his days enjoying walking, swimming, genealogy, editing college physics and math textbooks and blogging his political views on Facebook. Carl was a kind and gentle soul who will be missed by all who were privileged to know him.

Carl Jackman

November 25, 1935 - August 29, 2021