Obituary
Brian Joseph Jackson of Lee’s Summit, MO, was ushered into Glory peacefully at home in the early morning of June 24, 2026, surrounded by his wife, children, and siblings.
Brian was born in Kansas City, MO, on July 16, 1956, to Kenneth and Dorothy (Kemp) Jackson. He and twin brother Barry joined older siblings Mike and Pat. They grew up in Lee’s Summit and wreaked good-natured havoc, later in life regaling and delighting their children with stories of their adventures and escapades. Brian graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 1974 and, inspired by his brother Mike, enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was stationed in Norfolk, VA, rose to the rank of DP2, worked in IT, and never once set foot on a ship. Following his four-year stint, he enrolled at Central Missouri State University and, more importantly, was introduced to the woman he would fall head-over-heels for, Carolyn White of St. Louis, MO. Brian proposed on Christmas Eve, 1979, and the two married in August 1980, a year and a half to the day that they had met. Brian would go on to propose again to Carolyn every Christmas Eve for the next 45 years—and every year she said yes, with joy.
Their marriage led to the births of their three children, Jonathan, Jordan, and Lindsey. Brian was a present and devoted dad, and his children cherish memories of time outdoors, special Christmas moments, hand-drawn cartoons on the backs of birthday card envelopes, and, perhaps their favorite, bedtime “tell stories” of Brian’s own creation. Their dad was a believer in fostering traditions, and many of those traditions are already being passed on to the next generation.
Brian received both a bachelor’s degree and MBA and spent nearly 30 years in human resources in the pharmaceutical industry, where he became a trusted leader known for his calm and steady demeanor but even more so for his integrity. He strived for excellence in his work but looked forward every day to coming home to his wife and kids.
Upon retirement, Brian enjoyed traveling with Carolyn; sat on the board of the non-profit organization Central Auto Racing Boosters (CARB); was involved in his church, Summit Woods Baptist in Lee’s Summit; and cherished being “BaPa” to his grandchildren Luca and Ayah and “Papa” to his grandson Brayden. Much of his time in retirement was also spent battling cancer. In 2014 Brian was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, which in 2017 became stage 4 when it was found to have metastasized to his lungs. Brian never wished to be defined as simply a cancer patient but instead desired for his life, whatever it entailed, to be a reflection of his belief in the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross and in His resurrection. His experience with cancer showed just that: Brian taught his loved ones through example what it looked like to be content in suffering. He truly believed that the Lord could take any life circumstance and use it to glorify Himself and lead others to Him, and Brian was genuinely content to be a vessel for that in whatever level of physical or mental suffering he was asked to endure. Even as his sickness worsened, Brian was at peace and never feared death. He finished the race well and, praise God, his family are all stronger believers because of his example.
Brian was a critical thinker, full of wisdom, and a master storyteller. His faith in Jesus was the crux of his identity and his life choices, and it was evident to all who knew him. He was introverted by nature, and one could often see him carefully weigh his words before he spoke. He was creative and funny, and he loved the Chiefs (even in their bad years), The Far Side comics, hunting, NASCAR and sprint car racing, and John Denver music. He was, frankly, the best.
Brian is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Mike. Brian is survived by his loving wife of nearly 46 years, Carolyn; his son, Jonathan Jackson; his son, Jordan Jackson (Julia); his daughter, Lindsey Silva dos Santos (Guilherme); his three beloved grandchildren, Luca, Brayden, and Ayah; his sister, Pat Huskey (Rick); his twin brother, Barry Jackson (Kandy); his sister-in-law, Audrey Merkle; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and other family members, all of whom already miss him greatly. We rejoice in the hope of heaven and long for the day we will all reunite and spend eternity with Christ.
A visitation will be held Monday, June 29, 2026, from 6-8 pm and a service on Tuesday, June 30, at 10 am, both at Summit Woods Baptist Church in Lee’s Summit, MO. Per Brian’s request, any desired donations can be made to Summit Woods Baptist Church.
Condolences
Visitation
Lee's Summit, MO 64063
Services
Lee's Summit, MO 64063
I grew up with Brian & his brother Barry. Many good memories and I was sad to hear about Brian’s passing. My thoughts & prayers to his wife and family.
Prayers for the Jackson family
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the families🙏🏻
My Thoughts and Prayers are with the Jackson Family & All who Loved and knew Brian 🤍🕊️
We are so very sorry for your loss. Will be thinking about you during this sad time.
Me and Dewan will never forget Brian. He was so nice to us. When we were graduate students at UMKC, we met Brian and Carolyn, they made us feel America like our another home. We will always remember Brian’s innocent smile and his care for us. I attended Lindsey’s wedding and Brian was so happy to see me there, so many good memories. I will treasure them.
It was a privilege and a honor to have Brian as my friend and example and mentor as we went through our Cancer. My goal was always to be the example of the Lord to others as Brian was! He will be missed!
I remember Brian from growing up at FBC Greenwood. I always admired him for his faithfulness and intelligence. My prayers are with Carolyn and the entire Jackson family. We will see him again one day.
We of course knew of Brian’s struggle the past few years with cancer but never had any doubt that he would not “end well!” Our prayers go out to you Carolyn, Jonathan, Jordan, Lindsey and family. We will miss Brian very much but look forward to that day of reuniting. Sadly we will be out of town next Monday and Tuesday. Know that you all will be in our hearts and prayers, (PS, we secretly like John Denver too.)
May he enjoy eternity in heaven, free from pain and full of joy.
Pat, I am desolate to hear of Brian’s passing. I know how much you loved and valued him. Please know I am holding you close to my heart.
Love,
Martha
May God Bless Brian as he enters into Heaven.
I was very fortunate to get to know Brian as we both worked for Marion Labs in the early to mid 80’s and into the 1990’s. He was always a first class professional and a very kind man. He was liked by all. We stayed in touch after we both departed with annual Christmas cards and occasional conversations. He certainly will be missed but the positive memories will never be forgotten. RIP Brian….God has you in his arms now.
My deepest condolences to Brian’s family. I had the privilege to work with him many years ago. He was a kind person and wasn’t afraid to share his love for the Lord.
We are sending our love, thoughts, and prayers to the Jackson family. Brian, was such a great brother in the Lord, and he will be so missed.
So sorry for your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If you need anything let us know!
Praying for grace for this godly family as they grieve, persevere, and trust the precious promises of Jesus for comfort. Brian was certainly a man after God’s heart.
Condolences to my classmates Pat and her husband Rick, family and to all who love him. Prayers for healing in the coming days.
I didn’t know Brian but if he is like Barry, he was a good man by faith in Christ. Barry and Candi, God grant you peace during this time. My prayers are being said!
Jonathan,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Although I did not know your dad, I do know he was an amazing man to have raised a wonderful son that you are. My prayers are with you and your family and I send you love and hugs.
My prayers are for each of you that grieve Brian’s death & for your journey in life now without him but knowing he’s in the presence of Jesus will bring you peace.
Dear Barry , Kandy and to the entire beloved family of Brian my heart goes out to you all as you are separated from this kind and special man in your life. Our joy in knowing it is just momentarily until you see him again, for those who are in Christ. Know our hearts are thinking of everyone and will keep you in our prayers. To our old neighbors Barry and Kandy and family know we hold you dear, especially close to our hearts ! If there’s anything we can do for you please let us know.
Tracy Bailey
Before I heard of Brian’s passing, I stepped outside this week and noticed how beautifully the wildflowers in your yard were blooming. I couldn’t help but think they were a smile from heaven.
Your family’s love for the Lord has been an inspiration to many, and Brian’s legacy will have an eternal impact. Praying for peace and comfort for your family.
We were so sad to hear of Brian’s passing. We know he was a great husband, father and grandfather. He is in a better place now with no more pain. We love you all and pray that you will be ok. I always enjoyed the Christmas photos and hope that you will keep the tradition going.
We are so sorry to hear of Brian’s passing on. Our prayers with his family. He will be remembered well by all who knew him.
Caroline and family as neighbors Connie and I are so sorry for Brian’s passing. He fought the good fight and always had his faith and support from the whole family. I will always remember high school memories of him and Barry. Prayers for comfort during this difficult time for all of the family.
Prayers for comfort to Carolyn and family. Brian was such a good man!
Jonathan and family,
Sorry to hear of the loss of your father. He must have been a great guy and I know he’ll be missed. God will be taking good care of him.
Monica Ausmer
(in case you’ve forgotten who I am, I drove the tour bus for you, Jonathan. And I thought you were a very special person, so nice to be around.)
I worked with Brian at Medi-Flex many years ago. He was solid as a rock. Easy to talk to, always finding time if you needed something, good at giving advise without coming off as ‘preachy’, and upbeat. The company was a better place with Brian there. I will pray for your family during these hard times.
I am so sorry to hear of Brian’s passing. I worked with Brian at Quntiles and he is hands down the most professional HR person I have ever encountered in my career. He was also a nice person and treated people fairly and woth respect!
Carolyn, Jonathan, Jordan and Lindsey. I share with you in your sorrow and loss. Watching your family grow has been such a blessing (I still have every Christmas card even when there were no kids, just a dog.). Brian was always the quiet, solid one. Always trustworthy and Godly. I send hugs and prayers to each of you
Carm
Brian was a supportive and consumate professional, who helped me deal with a variety of situations when I worked with him at Quintiles, for a number of years. I remember so many times him saying that “people want to have hope” and that was going to be the title of his book.
May Brian’s family have an immeasurable number of memories, as those of us who worked with him have, to help you through your loss.
I am very sorry to hear of Brian’s passing. Brian was a man of God who loved his family. Brian was as kind as anyone l have ever known. His father Kenny helped my uncle Wes work on race cars in the 1960’s. Brian shared some stories from those days with me. Brian was as fine of person as l have ever met.
My heart has been broken and then rejoiced on several occasions during the past 12 years of witnessing Brian’s diagnosis & treatment of the devil Cancer! He & Carolyn were the toughest of all fighters in their willingness to cooperate with so many types of treatment, including clinical trials, etc as prescribed by Brians’s doctors Brian’s professional background in the pharmaceutical industry and Carolyn’s nursing experience and their extremely strong faith in Jesus Christ lead him to undergo much side effect suffering with the hope & prayer that if it didn’t help him, it might make a difference to the next patient. This is as great example of selfless & Christ like living!
I always so loved “talking” with Brian during our long email chats & then the awesome reunion of “cousins + 1” (I was the +1 Aunt Nancy) they hosted in their home in 2022 was simply the best to all be in one room together! We are so blessed all our family members share our love for the Lord & there is no doubt in any of our minds that Brian is now being held in the arms of Jesus with no pain, no suffering & eternal joy & that we will all be reunited again in Glory.
I share my grief with all the family members of which there are many, but especially with wife, Carolyn, twin brother, Barry, and big sis, Patty Ann. They were always as close as any siblings I’ve ever known & had such fun times often, especially loving their threesome lunch each year to celebrate their mutual July birthdays! Brian & I also shared our love for family history and how much work that was for him with a last name of “Jackson”! I will miss Brian. He was my brother’s son and I was 16 when he & twin, Barry, were born so we were “family” for a long time! Aunt Nancy
He was such a nice thoughtful person. We worked on projects at Marion and MMD. Sending prayers of strength and comfort to you and your family.
Very sad to learn of Brian’s passing. I worked with Brian at Marion Labs and later at Marion Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical. He was a thoughtful, smart, engaging HR executive trusted by all with whom he came in contact. Decades after we both moved on to other opportunities I reached out to Brian for advice on a challenging issue I was facing, and he talked me through several options I had available. He was back then an awesome young man, and today will surely be missed. Rich
It seems like it was just yesterday the I saw Brian and Carolyn at my mom’s service. Loss is always difficult. But we know that Brian is rejoicing with his Savior! Sending prayers and comfort. Blessings always.
Brian was my next door neighbor growing up in grade school and along with his brother Barry we spent days exploring the edges of then gravelly third street as new neighborhood developments were being built. After White Ridge swimming pool was built we were there every day. Brian, Barry and I discovered Jesse James old hideout up Cedar Creek past where Third street quit. Thick as thieves we were. Sure there were some stuffed dummies thrown from the roof a few times and some plastic army men got melted but it was all in good fun and the thing I remember from those days is Brian’s laugh. Always right in there enjoying the fun. I’m sure he will be missed. I am really sorry for your loss and deepest sympathy for your family in this difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Our dear Carolyn,
We were so saddened to hear of Brian’s passing and knew it was eminent from your updates.
Our deepest condolence to you, Jonathan, Jordan, Lindsey, grandchildren and extended family and friends. We know that Brian is at peace now and doing the Lord’s work from his heavenly home, watching down on us all. It was good to see Brian at the memorial for Corrine. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers!
Randy, Sandy, Tiffany and Tianna