Julius Jackson, age 81 years, of Holland Township, NJ, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at home, surrounded by his loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born January 12, 1939 in Statesboro Georgia, to Fannie Lee Jackson and Lenward Jackson Sr., as a young child, his parents relocated to Newark New Jersey, where Julius attended elementary, middle school and later graduated from Westside High School in Newark, NJ. 

Julius proposed to his high school sweetheart Loretta Nash and wed on May 5, 1963 at Zion Baptist Church in Newark, NJ where he was an active member. Shortly after marriage, Julius was drafted by the US Army and stationed at Fort Hood Military Base in Texas. He served his country from 1963-1965.

After being honorably discharged from the military, Julius worked as a barber and several other jobs while attending Middlesex County College in the evenings, and earned his Associate’s Degree. Julius landed his dream job with Bell Labs (AT&T/ Lucent Technologies) as a Senior Draftsman and retired from Lucent Technologies in 2000, after 30 years on service.

Julius was dedicated to giving back to the community. He was a long-standing member of the P.A.Y.D.T.A. organization (Plainfield Association Youth Development Tennis Association). He was a head coach for youth basketball and assistant coach for the girl’s youth softball team in South Plainfield.

Julius was also a very active individual.  He played tennis for many years and participated in several tournaments. He competed in the Tae Kwon Do Invitational Tournament at Bell Labs and received a 1st place trophy.  Julius loved skiing, gardening and playing basketball at the neighborhood community center.  He was an avid lover of motorcycles and was seen around town riding with his beloved wife. Julius loved to sail and took his boat out often.  Shortly, thereafter he joined The Watchung Sail and Power Squadron. His passions were singing, dancing and listening to a genre of music, especially Doo Wop.  Julius’ greatest joy was spending quality time with his wife.

Julius never let the grass grow under his feet. He and his wife traveled across country to California, Florida, San Francisco, Texas, Tennessee, Detroit, Illinois, Jamaica, Mexico, Nassau, and Hawaii to name a few.

Following retirement, Julius made it his mission to design his dream house on 8 acres of land in The Garden State of NJ. Julius leaves behind his treasured wife Loretta of 57 years. Julius passed away peacefully on a picturesque sunshine and blue sky filled morning on May 5, 2020 at the home that he and his wife built.

 In addition to his wife, Julius leaves behind two loving daughters, Lynn Smith (Nate) and Dana Jones ( Kyle); five grandchildren: Daryl Jackson (Jennifer), Kiandra Tyus (Isaiah), Chavez Smith, Aniya Smith, and Kendall Jones; a great-granddaughter, Kennedy Jackson; a cherished brother, Lenwood Jackson Jr. (Sandra); his nieces and nephews, Gizelle Bryant, Benny Bryant Jr., Anita Muhammad (Amon), Holly Jackson, and Lenwood Jackson Jr.; a great-nephew Benny Bryant V; a host of extended family; and many dear friends.

Preceding him in death, are his parents Fannie and Lenward Jackson Sr. and two sisters, Evelyn Williams and Vivian Bryant.

The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many comforting messages, floral tributes, prayers and expressions of kindness during this difficult time.

***Due to the inability to have a public ceremony at this time, and knowing how vital the love of family, friends, and the community is when someone passes, everyone reading this is encouraged to leave a detailed note on this page—perhaps a favorite story, or maybe the way Julius touched your heart—something to help inspire a measure of comfort and hope to all who read the comments.***

Private immediate family viewing, followed by committal prayers by Certified Celebrant D.J. Wright, followed by burial at Graceland Memorial Park, Kenilworth, NJ, took place under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Please visit Julius’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a memorial candle, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Julius’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, 23 Vreeland Road, Unit #105, Florham Park, NJ 07932 or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”