Dave Jackson

JACKSON, David Richard entered heaven on August 13, 2026 at the age of 80. Beloved husband of Lorraine Jackson for 50 wonderful years. Proud Dad of Danielle (Indal) Ramjhattan and Derek (Amy) Jackson. Adored Papa and Grampy of Rachel, Brooke, Micah, Naomi, Miyah, River, and Ophelia. Loving brother of John (Loretta) Jackson, Helen (Glynn) Cole, and Beckie (Kevin) Callahan. Dear brother-in-law of Len (Lena) Zaloga. He was also fortunate to have many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Ralph and Margaret Jackson and his father and mother-in-law Stanley and Stella Zaloga. Dave was adopted with his brother John as a young child from Canada and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Oneida Baptist Institute in Kentucky for high school. Although moving away from his family may have been hard, he was later grateful for his Oneida experience. He stayed in that area for some of his college years and had fond memories of touring the area with a singing group. After trying out a few other jobs back in Michigan, he found a place working for a newspaper in Howell, Michigan. This led to an interest in selling advertising for magazines, and he went on to open his own business, Dave Jackson & Associates. He represented many magazines and became involved in the Detroit advertising community. An early clue to his future love of sailing, he met his wife at the Detroit Yacht Club and they were married in 1975. Around the time his eldest child was born, Lorraine and he decided they needed to find a church. After visiting many, they joined Faith Lutheran Church near their house. He continued his love of singing by participating with the choir there for several years. Although it was never part of his work, he developed an early interest in computers and the internet and even taught some DOS classes. Around the mid 1980's, he bought his first sailboat, aptly named the "Forty-Flip" as a nod to his mid-life "crisis." He later became the proud captain of a beautiful 27-foot sailboat named “Antares.” At some point, the sailboats were not enough, and in the early 1990's, he decided to make a career change. After much research, including family trips to tour as many laser tags as possible, he opened Laser Edge on Gratiot Ave. He operated this laser tag and arcade for about 20 years, having the distinction of the largest laser tag arena in Michigan. He also sold the laser tag vests and computer systems for Laserforce of Australia to new facilities and represented the company at many entertainment conventions. This led to him and Lorraine having the chance to visit Australia, one of their most memorable trips. Most importantly, Laser Edge gave him the opportunity to work with many young people and community groups from the area. He touched many young lives and numerous people considered him a second father figure. In the early years of his retirement, he had the chance to touch more young lives through weekly tutoring at East Bethlehem Lutheran Church After School Program. In the recent years before his illness, he desired a smaller church community, which led him to S.A.L.T. Troy. Aside from sailing, he loved singing, the Oldies, classical and jazz music, the family dogs, his blue Mazda Miata, a sip of Crown Royal or a good red wine in his younger years, chatting with neighbors outside the house, and keeping his lawn looking good. In his later years, his greatest joy was his grandkids, and he made many trips to Kalamazoo and Atlanta to visit and help his kids and grandkids. They will never forget his tickles and jokes. Dave was generous and tried his best to be helpful. He was a good listener but also always had advice or an opinion to give, for better or worse. He often had a silly joke when answering the phone or telling a waitress that the guy in the next booth was paying for the bill. He did his best to be the life of the party and he will be missed. Visitation Friday, August 28th, from 3:00pm until 8:00pm at Wujek - Calcaterra & Sons Inc., (Shelby), 54880 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Twp., 48316. (At 25 Mile Road). Instate Saturday, August 29th, 1:30pm until time of the 2:00pm Funeral Service at St. Augustine Lutheran Church (S.A.L.T.), 5475 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48098. Funeral meal offsite to follow. Please share memories with the family at their "On - Line Guestbook" at WujekCalcaterra.com Flowers are welcome, but donations to the following in his name are appreciated. Oneida Baptist Institute, 11 Mulberry Street, Oneida, KY 40972 https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/OneidaBaptistInstitute?code=1 East Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 3510 Outer Dr E, Detroit, MI 48234 Attn: Carlyn Roth. Notate with “After School Program”

Dave Jackson

May 3, 1946 - August 13, 2026