Col. Wesley Ellzey Jackson, DVM

Colonel Wesley Ellzey Jackson, DVM, 91, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at a local healthcare facility.

Born on April 23, 1935, in McComb, Mississippi, proudly known as the Camellia Capital of the World – Wesley was the son of David Dallas Jackson, Sr. and Courtney Elizabeth Badon Jackson. From an early age, he embraced life with enthusiasm and purpose. A 1953 graduate of McComb High School, he served as co-captain of his football team, played baseball, basketball, and participated in the band and Glee Club. There, he formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. His love of learning and animals led him to Mississippi State University, where he studied Animal Science and pre-veterinary medicine. He continued at Auburn University, receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, and later earned a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine degree from Tulane University.

In 1960, Dr. Jackson was commissioned into the United States Air Force, beginning a distinguished twenty-five-year career in the Veterinary Corps. His military service took him around the world, where his expertise improved both animal and public health. For 25 years he worked in many capacities in food inspection, animal husbandry consulting, disease eradication and genetic make-up of animal herds and control.

In one assignment, he coordinated and accompanied the import of 300 heifers from California by air transport, along with swine, poultry, and honeybees to Lajes Field Air Force Base, Azores, Portugal serving as Veterinary Consultant to the Ministry of Agriculture as part of a livestock genetic improvement initiative for the dairy industry on the islands. His work included the medical and surgical care of military sentry dogs, horses, and exotic animals. Among his proudest accomplishments was helping eradicate an outbreak of rabies and canine hepatitis among the Eskimo sled dogs while assigned to Thule Air Base in Greenland. He worked closely with the Danish government in accomplishing this victory. He retired with the rank of full Colonel in 1985.

He returned to his hometown in McComb following his military career and established a successful veterinary practice. He later moved to Kinder, Louisiana to manage the hunting lease program for the Bel Estate- Quatre Parish Timber Company. During that time, he was a consultant in the management of an exotic deer and antelope herd on the Lacassine Company Farm and partnered with his brother Bill Jackson in raising emus and rheas.

Wesley was an avid outdoorsman who found great joy in hunting, fishing and camping. He was gifted with a rich singing voice, especially when singing hymns from the old Cokesbury Hymnal. He also played the trumpet, guitar, and piano and never missed an opportunity to be on the dance floor. His storytelling, laughter, and unmistakable zest for life left an impression wherever he went.

A man of deep and abiding faith, Wesley instilled the importance of that faith in his family. He attended St. Luke Simpson United Methodist Church and was an active participant and discussion leader with Bible Study Fellowship for many years.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of thirty-one years, Nelva Jean Williams Nassar Jackson of Lake Charles; daughter, Molly Jackson Burt (Jack) of Bossier City; three grandchildren, Ian Bacque, Carol Bacque and Gabriella Bacque Allen (Grayson) and great grandchildren, Jade and Jameson. He also leaves stepchildren, Debbie Lewing (Ralph), Cindy Nassar of Lake Charles and Will Nassar of Orange Beach, Alabama, Michael Steel, Kathleen Hodge and daughter in law Mary Steele (James); step grandchildren, Meghan Trahan (Jason), Nick and Zach Lewing and Laura Lewing-Barousse (Adam), Katie Pilcher (Gary), Evelyn Clawson, Joseph Hodge, Katie Dickerson (Will); four step great grandchildren, Andrew, Anna Catherine, Poppy and Maddox, and a host of nieces and nephews from the Bill and D.D. Jackson families. He held a special place in his heart for his beloved nieces, Courtney Storer and Kay Buck.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Steele Jackson; his parents; two brothers, David Dallas “D.D.” Jackson and William “Bill” Badon Jackson; stepsons, Wycliff Steele and James Steele; step-grandson, Ryan Hodge and son-in-law, Walter Hodge.

A special thank you to his caregivers, Dorothy Carter, Hayat Bouguejdi, Joanette Touchet and others for their loving care and service during his illness.

Those who knew Wesley will remember a man who never met a stranger, and who approached every season of life with gratitude, resilience and a twinkle in his eye.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, in the chapel of Johnson Funeral Home, Lake Charles, Louisiana. Karen Spencer, a dear family friend, will officiate. Visitation Friday will begin at 10:00 a.m., until the time of service.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24