Peter Jackson was born in San Francisco on September 25, 1930 and passed away with his wife Shirley and family by his side on November 11, 2017.  He was a long time resident of Richland, WA and later Pasco, WA.

He was the son of an immigrant father of Czech decent who was born in Russia. His mother, a single mother with two children prior to meeting his dad, passed away when he was just sixteen.  Pete was preceded in death also by his half-sister, Pearl and half-brother, Clarence. He says that he developed a love of cooking because he and his dad lived alone and his dad relied on him to do the cooking. He was a first generation college graduate, with a degree in Chemistry/Physics from University of California, Berkeley (1953).  At the age of 23 he married Anna (Vasey) Jackson, who passed away in 1997. They moved to the Tri-Cities in 1954 and subsequently had three children; Aleta, Susan and (Peter)Eric. Pete worked as a Chemist at the Hanford area first at General Electric followed by Battelle N.W. (PNNL) until retirement in 1992 and was known for his scientific expertise as well as his elaborate story telling. He had a brilliant mind, was intellectually curious and would read and research everything. Most of his close family and friends found it strategically in their favor to guide conversations away from topics of politics and religion.  It could get intense! Peter took classes in Greek in order to read some of the earliest versions of the New Testament to distill truth from his readings. Just recently, one of his nephews stated, “what a great mind!  Pete is still so sharp!” and that was no lie, up until the very end. 

He attended the Catholic Church faithfully for decades and was finally baptized in his 60’s, in the River Jordan while on a pilgrimage with his wife, Ann. He began singing at St. Dominic’s  Catholic   Church choir in San Francisco with a friend at the age of about 9, later sang for years at Christ the King and continued to sing at St. Patrick’s Catholic church in Pasco, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree. He said his secret career goal was to be an opera singer.  His love of classical music was fostered as a child by countless times viewing Fantasia, his favorite movie of all time.

In 2002, Pete married Shirley Newell, and her large family.  Shirley and Pete met while serving their community at the Benton/Franklin County fair in the Ice Cream booth and continued to make service a great part of their life together. This chapter of his life was very happy. Shirley is a jewel; a very positive and active companion.  She went with Pete to the opera, symphony, community concerts, and he accompanied her to Mariner’s games, country music concerts and huge family reunions.  They both loved having a garden. Pete watched cooking shows, researched recipes, cooked with gusto and considered himself a great gourmet chef with a very fine palate (and a very messy hand). 

Peter had his first heart surgery in his early 50’s, and lived a very long and eventful life.  We, as his family, would like to publically acknowledge the doctors and care givers who were so excellent in helping him through advice, prescriptions, monitoring and support to live such an extended life and his faithful friend David Blacketer, who sustained him during his final year of life by his companionship, treats, and reading material.  

Some of his proudest moments were watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grand children grow and develop their own talents.  He encouraged his children to be self-reliant. The grandchildren inherited his fantastic mind, sensitivity, and love of food and music. He is survived by his wife Shirley Newell-Jackson (her seven children, grandchildren and great grandchildren), his three children-Aleta Borschowa (husband Larry), their sons Nels and Peter Borschowa; Susan Vega (husband Adrian), their three daughters Adrianna, (her children Abel, Olivia, & Leon) Elaine and Vanessa and Pete’s son, Peter Eric Jackson (wife Nemia), their children Eric Joshua (wife Britta, their daughter, Maura) and Lisa Marie.  

Viewing will be at Einan’s funeral home from 5-7:00 pm Friday, November 17. Rosary will be before the Mass, Saturday November 18, at 10:15 am, St. Patrick’s Church. Mass will be at St. Patrick’s Church, Pasco WA at 11:00 am followed by a Reception.