Service for Gene M. Jackson, 78, of Joshua will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, May 15, 2016 in the Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Chapel. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8:00 P.M., Saturday, at the funeral home. Gene M. Jackson passed away Thursday, May 12, 2016 in Ft. Worth. He was born Jan. 11, 1938 in Johnson County to William Elmo and Willie Irene Hawpe Jackson. He married Joyce Wright Thornton on Aug. 27, 1977 in Ft. Worth. Mr. Jackson was a successful businessman starting a variety of local businesses including, Jackson Motor Company, Jackson Construction, Caddo Street Paint and Body, and Real Estate Ventures. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the outdoors. Gene was a loving husband, father, grand and great- grandfather; and a friend to many. He was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include his beloved wife, Joyce Jackson of Joshua; children, Ginger Cooper and husband David of Joshua, Beverly Eckstein and husband Ralph of Burleson, Gary Eugene Jackson and Gina K. Jackson, both of Alvarado, Mark Thornton and wife Shannon of Frisco, Lynda Jackson Segura and husband Nicolas of Alvarado, and Kyle Leigh Thornton and wife Britta of Morrison, CO; grandchildren, Janet and Jody Maxwell, Cynthia and David Harbour, Whitney and Sergiu Popov, Kayla Allen, Jonathan Eckstein, Skyler Thornton, Madison Thornton, Reid Thornton, and David Mauch; great grandchildren, Ryanne, Reagan, Preston, Cooper, Colton, Colbie, Nadia, Maudie, and Cedron Martel; nephews, Dale Drennan and wife Kathy and Davey Drennan and wife Jean; niece, Sherry Kiblinger and husband Bill; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mozelle Ralph, and first wife, Janet Sue Sells Jackson in 1972.