Oscar Jackson Locklin, Sr., “Daddy Jack,” “Grandaddy,” “Round Man,” passed from this life on December 3, 2018.
Born on June 17, 1928, at the corner of Stewart Street and Berryhill Road, “Jack” was a lifelong Miltonian. He grew up in Holley, Pace and Milton, and graduated from Milton High School in 1947, lettering in football and basketball. He was named all Northwest Florida Conference on the 1946 state tournament basketball team. Jack attended Florida State University in 1947, with his brother, Claude Jr. Together, they developed many lifelong friendships and “cut a wide swath” wherever they went. Jack joined the Air Force in 1950 and was stationed in Denver, Colorado, where he met and married Josephine “Jo” Miller, in July of 1951. After being stationed in Miami, Florida, and Tripoli, Libya, Jack returned to Santa Rosa County, briefly teaching school in Allentown. In 1955, Jack began his journey selling insurance as a Farm Bureau Agent. Three years later, he and Jo founded Locklin Insurance Agency in 1958, serving the Milton community for 35 years until their son, Bob, took over. Jack and Jo have been members at Margaret Street Church of Christ since moving back to Milton in 1954. Jack supported and attended Milton High athletic events for decades, sponsoring the Football MVP trophy for many years. Jack served on the Santa Rosa Island Authority Board in the 70’s and 80’s, being one of the first ten lot owners on Navarre Beach. Jack was a fanatical Florida State University fan. His children and grandchildren practically grew up in Doak S. Campbell Stadium, where Jack held football season tickets for over 40 years, only passing them on when he was physically unable to attend. The memories of FSU ballgames, road trip vacations, hunting trips, and fishing trips are too many to share. “Daddy Jack” instilled a special kind of love in his family, and every trip and event was an adventure punctuated with laughter.
Jack Locklin, Sr., was preceded in death by his parents, Claude E. Locklin, Sr. and Bertie Sue Earwood Locklin; his brother, Claude E. Locklin, Jr.; many family members, and almost all his lifelong friends.
“Daddy Jack” is survived by Josephine Miller Locklin, his wife of 67 years; three children, Oscar Jackson, Jr. “Jack” (Sheree), Elisa Gale Ryan, and Robert Henry “Bob” (Rhonda) Locklin; seven Grandchildren, Oscar James (Sheena) Locklin, Mark Derek (April) Townley, Amy Locklin (Benjamin) Boyd, Heidi Locklin (William) Hudgens, Andrea Locklin (Justin) Weekley, Robert Gunner Locklin, and Grant James Locklin; 14 great-grandchildren who were the apple of his eye; sisters-in-law Lucille Miller Price of St. Francis, KS, and June Miller of Milton; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Pall Bearers include Oscar James Locklin, Mark Derek Townley, Robert Gunner Locklin, Rufus Pierce, Grant James Locklin, Justin Reid Weekley, and William Paul Hudgens.
Honorary Pall Bearers include H. Jay Earwood, Burton L. Locklin, Rufus Pierce, Radford M. Locklin, Jr., Claude Mark Locklin, Larry Elliot, Michael Edwards, D. Anthony Washnock, Lewis Bond, Douglas A. Webster, Donald C. Spencer, and Raymond Tolbert.
The family wishes to thank Pete Pierce, Louise English, and the church family at Margaret Street for their special care and attention these last years, we could not have made it through this journey without you. The family also thanks the doctors, nurses and staff at Santa Rosa Medical Center, Pruitt Health, and Emerald Coast Hospice for their excellent care these last several weeks.
Donations may be made to the Jack Locklin, Sr. Memorial Fund at Harding University, 915 E. Market Avenue, Searcy, Arkansas 72149-5615.
Funeral Services were held Friday, December 7, 2018, at Margaret Street Church of Christ.
Lewis Funeral Home, Milton, has been entrusted with arrangements.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Oscar Jackson Locklin, Sr