Captain James A. Jackman passed away on Friday, February 4th, 2022, at his home in Foristell Missouri at the age of 74.

James, known to friends as Jim, was born in Princeton, Indiana on March 3,1947, to Hester and Virgil Jackman. They moved from Orio to Mt. Caramel, Illinois around 1950. In January of 1973, he met Sharon K. Baskin of Murphysboro, Illinois. They were married the following October. Jim is survived by his wife Sharon, son Jon E. Jackman and his wife Julie of O’Fallon Missouri, two granddaughters; Mollie E. Jackman of Columbia Missouri and Maggie E. Jackman of O’Fallon Missouri. 

Jim was the youngest of five siblings; Ruby Kirkman of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Wanda Johnson of Union Grove Wisconsin, Charlene (David) Putnam of Littleton, Colorado, and the late Dale Jackman of Munster, Indiana. He was also close with his sister-in-law, Marsha Coffer, her husband Leland and the late Earl R. Baskin of Carbondale Illinois. He is also survived by three generations of nieces and nephews.  

Captain Jackman was a graduate of Mt. Carmel High school, class of 1965. He then graduated from Southern Illinois University- Carbondale in 1970 and immediately began his flying career. He was hired as a charter pilot for SIU- Carbondale, and then by Ozark Airlines in 1974. As a result of mergers, he flew commercially for three airlines: Ozark, TWA and American. He achieved advanced positions of Pilot Check Airman and Pilot Simulator Instructor and served as a captain for all three airlines.  Jim flew the FH-227, DC-9 and MD-80 on domestic flights only, because he loved his time at home tending to horses, dogs and 12 acres of property. Jim retired from American Airlines in March 2007. 

Jim enjoyed traveling with Sharon, horseback riding, golf, raising bird dogs (German Shorthairs and English Pointers) He was an avid bird dog field trailer for many years- competing with his bird dogs to showcase their hunting skills. He also loved spending the last 9 winters with Sharon at Rio Rancho Verde in Scottsdale Arizona. They made many close friends while there.   

Jim was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Foristell, Missouri, where Sharon still attends services. He served multiple times on the church council as a member and as President. He was on the building committee for their Family Life Center, which opened in 2003. He also served as chairman of the St. John’s Cemetery Committee until shortly before his death. He and Sharon also served as chairmen for the annual church picnic on several occasions.  

A memorial service will be held for Jim on Thursday, March 3, his birthday, in the Family Life Center of St. John’s United Church of Christ (address below). Visitation: March 3 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. with a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Reverend Paul R. Johnson will officiate, with assistance from Pastor Emeritus, Devin R. Jones.   

In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Women's Circle of St. John’s UCC, 60 St. Johannes Ln., Foristell, Missouri 63348; The ALS Association, St. Louis Regional Office 1950 Craig Rd. St. Louis, Missouri 63146; or Team Gleason Foundation, Box 24493 New Orleans, Louisiana 70184. 

Jim’s family would like to thank Angels on Duty of O’Fallon, Missouri and Loving Hands Hospice of Warrenton, Missouri and a multitude of family and friends for their kind, loving care.  

Gentleman Jim” was loved and will be missed by all.