Poss Jackson

(From Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home)

Eugene “Poss” Jackson, age 100, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away Sunday, May 04, 2025, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. He was born August 2, 1924, in Webb City, Missouri, the son of the late Ernest and Martha (Peters) Jackson.

Poss was a 1942 graduate of Webb City High School. After graduation he joined the Navy in July 1943. He served in World War II and was assigned to the U.S.S. Steamer Bay, part of the Pacific Fleet. After being discharged from the Navy in December 1945, he attended college at Southwest Missouri State from 1946-1950 graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education and completing his master’s degree from University of Arkansas.

On July 8, 1950, Poss married Freda Allen of Webb City, Missouri and they were married for 65 years. They had three children, Diana, Annette, and Doug. Freda preceded him in death on February 26, 2016.

Poss began his career in 1950 as a teacher and coach in Pierce City, Missouri, for nine years and West Plains, Missouri, for two years. In 1962 he moved his family to Aurora where he would start his tenure until retiring in 1986 having had the privilege to coach, educate and inspire many students. Poss will be remembered for the famous “Chicken Fat” workout, The Bell Bowl Trophy between Aurora and Mt. Vernon football teams, his love for sports and his passion for golf. Poss had three hole-in-ones during his lifetime. He was inducted into the Aurora Houn Dawg Alumni and Outreach Center’s Hall of Fame

A special thank you to all the staff at the Missouri Veterans Home for the compassionate care he received during the past 10 years.

Poss is survived by his daughter, Annette, and Don Messerli, of Springfield, Missouri, son, Doug Jackson, and Rob Sohovich, of Shell Knob, Missouri; four grandsons, Chris Kelley, Jeff Kelley, Mike Messerli and Dan Messerli; four great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

His wife, Freda, daughter, Diana Kelley, granddaughter, Kimberly Kelley, sister, Thelma Grimes and brothers, Bill Jackson, Bob Jackson, and Roy Jackson preceded him in death.

A visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, with a graveside service to follow at 3:30 p.m. at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Aurora Houn’ Dawg Alumni and Outreach Center, or the Missouri Veteran’s Home, in Mt. Vernon, in care of the funeral home.