Eric Jackson

Eric Lashawn Jackson, affectionately known to many as “EJ,” was born on March 7, 1972, at St. Ann’s Hospital in Columbus, OH to Karen Jackson and Leonard Thornton. EJ was the oldest of four children. He loved sports, particularly football. He also enjoyed fishing and hanging out with his buddies.

Eric received his high school diploma in 1992 at Brookhaven High School. In 1993, he enlisted in the United States Army until 1996. Upon his return home to Ohio, he started a career in the transportation industry. Eric was a chauffeur for a limousine company and later became a bus driver for Columbus City schools. In 2003, Eric became a father to his only child, Zhyan Alexis
Jackson, whom he shared with Jasmine Alves.

Eric was preceded in death by: his father, Leonard Thornton; stepfather, Eugene K. Winfrey, Sr.; maternal grandparents, Leroy E. Jackson, Sr., and Lillian Martin Jackson; uncle, Leroy E. Jackson, Jr.; and aunts, Eddie Ruth Booker and Marianne Green.

Eric leaves behind to cherish his memory: his daughter, Zhyan A. Jackson; mother, Karen (Keith) Winfrey; brothers, Dante Thomas and Eugene (Carlesha) Winfrey, Jr.; sister, Ebony (Jeremiah) Hardgrow; aunts, Lydia Jackson, Mildred Jackson, Sonja Craig, and others; the Thornton family; a host of cousins and extended family; best friend, Anthony Gwinn; and the entire Brookhaven “Bearcat” family and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

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