Walter Leo "Jay" Jackson, III

Walter Leo “Jay” Jackson III was born to Betty (Bencini) and Walter Leo “Jack” Jackson, Jr., in High Point, NC. He passed at his home on June 26, 2024, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Jay was forever young.

Jay began his childhood in High Point, NC. The Jackson family moved to Atlanta, GA, then Pensacola, FL, and later settled in Fulshear, TX. He graduated high school from San Marcos Academy in San Marcos, TX. Jay joined Pi Kappa Alpha and received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree from Texas State University, and his Masters of Business Administration from University of Texas at Austin.

Jay worked on offshore oil rigs while he was in college and was successful in sales in his early career and during downturns in the oil industry. Jay was the Founder and Operator of Sunburst, Inc. and Petrowest Energy Company, oil and gas extraction and operating businesses, for more than 30 years. He drilled in numerous states, including Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, and Colorado. 

He enjoyed fishing, sports, movies, music, and traveling. Jay was a history enthusiast, studied geology, and loved drilling for oil. Jay met his wife, Debra, on November 11, 2015. They were committed to one another from the beginning. They truly loved and adored each other and the life and home they built together. They enjoyed numerous trips in Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, California, and New Mexico. 

He leaves behind a great spirit and countless stories that make you think, “What a remarkable, adventurous, daring, and exciting life he led!” – stories that still make many people laugh. The things he accomplished are amazing and the people he touched are fortunate. Now, he is reunited with his best friend, his dad.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Richmond. Jay is survived by his wife; Debra; sister and brother-in-law Cindy and Lawson; niece Hilary and her husband Philip, and their children Kerner, Gwynn, and Lake; sister-in-law Barb, along with extended family. Jay will be dearly missed by family, friends, and business associates across the U.S. If you were lucky enough to know and love Jay, you were quite simply “Lucky enough.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CremateSimply.com for the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Jay’s favorite charity, The Salvation Army (https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/).

A private celebration of life will be held in Golden, Colorado, on Friday, October 18, 2024.