Michael, Erik and Leif remember their father, who passed away peacefully on March 4th. Ken Jackson provided much of the inspiration behind this family business, and was incredibly proud of his three sons. We will miss you, dad.

Following is a reprint of the Seattle Times obituary that ran March 16, 2008:

KENNETH M. "GREY EAGLE" JACKSON

Kenneth M. JACKSON (Grey Eagle) Born April 27, 1923 in Spokane, WA. Grey Eagle's spirit left to soar with the ancestors on the morning of Tuesday, March 4, 2008. His passage was natural and peaceful - surrounded by love and loved ones in his winter home in Patago nia, AZ. Ken's earthly body had endured a number of health problems in his last years, but kidney failure due to prostate cancer is listed as the cause of death.

Ken/Grey Eagle is survived by his loving wife, Anne Huggins; his three sons, Michael (Lynda) of Granite Falls, WA; Erik (Diane) and Leif (Sarah) of Seattle, WA and their mother Mari-Ann; step daughters Monica Huggins, of Santa Fe, NM, and Jennifer Huggins Ruemping (Troy), of Seattle, WA; as well as five grandchildren: Elizabeth, Matthew, Maya, Bella and Dylan.

"Kenny" served in the US Army Air Corps, seeing combat action in Europe during World War II. He survived a B-17 ditching in the Adriatic Sea, was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart. Grey Eagle's last years were largely devoted to helping war veterans, including him self, heal from emotional wounds suffered during times of service - work that will continue through programs that he helped establish.

Ken graduated from Washington State College (now WSU) before earning his PhD from the University of Washington. Kenneth was a reporter at heart, work ing as a correspondent for the AP in Seattle and Spokane and information director for NELPA. He then spent over two decades as a professor at the UW School of Communications before retiring in 1992. Upon retirement, he devoted his energy to continuing the Native American oral tradition, and as Grey Eagle became a beloved and captivating storyteller and writer. Grey Eagle leaves a deep legacy of written and recorded work.

Ken/Grey Eagle had a gentle, caring soul, and he will be sorely missed. A Service will be held on what would have been Ken's 85th birthday, Sunday April 27th, on Whidbey Island, where he was an honored elder and member of the community. Remembrances are suggested to Veterans Family and Heal ing, Nature Conservancy, Enso House, or Friends of Friends. For information, email: leif@jacksonremodeling.com