Columbus Jackson

Columbus Jackson, affectionately known as Shorty, was born on November 11, 1945, in Marianna, Arkansas, one of seven children of Willis Jackson and Catherine Lee Jackson. He is survived by his siblings Melvin Jackson, Roland Jackson, Alvin Jackson, Alberta Robinson, Herman Jackson, and Terry Lewis. In 1948, he moved with his family to Denver, Colorado, where he would spend the rest of his life.

A graduate of Manual High School, Columbus excelled as a wrestler, becoming a State Champion. It was during those high school years that he met Delphine Johnson, and together they built a life and a family, raising four children: Patrick, Catherine, Anthony, and Christopher. Deeply committed to his country, he enlisted in the United States Army in November 1965 at the age of twenty. He served with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry of the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter and Expert Marksmanship Badges, and several other honors. After his military service, he worked in maintenance for the Cherry Creek School System until his retirement.

Columbus was a man who cherished family above all. Inquisitive, protective, and loving, he lived by strong moral values and was admired for his character and quiet strength. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend who found joy in gatherings, offered steady support, and made personal sacrifices for those he loved. He is survived by his children Patrick (Bobbie), Catherine (Stanley), and his grandchildren Samantha (Marcus), Jessica, Brittani, Joshua, Raquel, Patrick, Donovan, and Deandre, as well as five great-grandchildren, Amaris, Heaven, Xavier, Carter, and Christopher.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Catherine Jackson, his wife Delphine, his brothers Melvin, Roland, and Herman, two of his children, Anthony and Christopher, and a great-grandchild, Aleigha.