DENNIS EDWARD JACKSON 

Entered December 21, 1973~–~Departed April 16, 2025 

“Almighty Father, whose way is in the sea, whose paths are in the great waters, whose command is over all whose love never faileth, let me be aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will.” Navy Sailor’s Prayer 

Dennis Edward Jackson was born Friday, December 21, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan, “The Motor City.” He was welcomed into a family that was elated to have a boy child. 

Dennis grew up with plenty of family surrounding him in his home, in their homes and in the community especially on Alter Road. He often boasted about how well he could braid hair because he grew up around a lot of females like his sisters: Evelyn, Vernita (predeceased), Ericka, Lisa, Shanita, Shyrayno, Celeste, LaTaya, and June. His brothers Lonell, Prince and Omar (predeceased) had similar experiences. Dennis said he learned to cook by watching his beloved mother, Venita Jackson, grandmother, Clara Lee Jackson (predeceased) and his aunts. During his formative years sisters, LaMona, Gail and Camille weren’t around to further influence him; nor Aunt Diane Clark Pierson. 

Dennis after finishing his secondary education joined the United States Navy starting his military career at Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago, Illinois. 

His distinguished military career would take him to Norfolk, Virginia, San Diego, California, Yokohama, Japan, Sasebo, Japan, Yokosuka, Japan. Dennis enthusiastically told colorful stories about each city without stuttering.  

Dennis excelled in the military making First Class in 2006 and retiring as E-6 August 31, 2015, at NOPF Dam Neck. 

His military accolades were many and he discovered that his picture was hung at Military Sealift MSC Far East for three years. After retiring he enjoyed talking to all military veterans on the smoke deck over coffee and at the VFW. 

Dennis while stationed in Japan met his wife Kayoko. Their children Natsumi, Devin, and Sophia became his joy for living. He would talk for hours about his children. He loved cooking, a skill Devin was quickly learning. He enjoyed long walks along beaches, parks, picnics, listening to his playlist, NPR and CNN, watching movies with a bowl of popcorn with his children. Recently, he bought a guitar and was learning to play it to impress his daughter, Natsumi. He admitted he “sucked at it and blamed it on arthritis.” Dennis would do his daughters’ hair…He was that dad! 

“Fair Winds and Following Seas,” At 15:16 hours on April 16, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia Dennis entered his eternal rest. He now has joined the ancestors, his father, James G. Clark (Army), and Grandfather Willie J. Clark (Navy). 

Dennis Edward Jackson will be remembered by his surviving family members, friends, and shipmates as a hard worker, solution-oriented, sometimes long winded individual who was a lover of country and his family. 

Burial will be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery with further details to be announced. 

“Some time at eve when the tide is low, – I shall slip my mooring and sail away. O’er the Unseen Shore. O’er the Unknown Sea to the Unseen Shore.” Elizabeth Clark Hardy