John Wallace "Jack" Jackson, also known as "Grumpy" died of cancer at his home in Apple Valley on Dec. 13, 2000. He was 77. Jack was born in Grand Forks, N.D., in 1923. After graduating from Bemidji High School, he attended the University of Southern California for a year before being accepted to West Point Military Academy. He graduated from West Point in 1946 and joined the Army Air Corps, later to become the U.S. Air Force, where he became a pilot, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He retired as a lieutenant colonel after 30 years of service and eventually moved to Apple Valley. While in Apple Valley, he was a member of the Apple Valley Country Club and did volunteer work with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and Hospice of the Inland Counties. He is survived by four wonderful children: son Terry of Monterey; daughters Nancy Kowalski of Beavercreek, Ohio, Pam Fitzhenry of Los Gatos and Deborrah Brewer of Eugene, Ore.; brothers Robert of Anaheim Hills, Don of Griffin, Ga., and Bill of Newport Beach; sisters Betty of La Mirada and Joan of Downey; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Jack was a man of "gusto" who lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and playing golf and traveling, especially on cruises with Shirley. He will long be remembered for his kindness and his zany sense of humor. A memorial service will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Church of the Valley, Highway 18 and Standing Rock Road in Apple Valley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to VNA Hospice of the Inland Counties, 12421 Hesperia Road, Ste. 11, Victorville, CA 92392. Victor Valley Mortuary in Victorville is handling arrangements.