Stephen Michael Jackson

Stephen Michael Jackson, age 82, recent resident of Fuquay Varina, formerly of Harrisburg, North Carolina passed away April 11, 2026, at Duke Hock Family Pavilion, a hospice house in Durham. He was born January 3, 1944, at Charlotte Memorial Hospital in Charlotte, NC. He was raised in Kannapolis, NC by his loving parents, J.B. and Lois Jackson alongside his younger brother, Tony. His childhood was filled with many family gatherings, as well as, church, athletic, and scouting activities. One of his proudest accomplishments was the achievement of his Eagle Scout award. Steve was a 1962 graduate of A.L. Brown High School. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Army Security Agency (ASA), a premier signals intelligence and electronic warfare branch. He was stationed primarily in Africa and California where his duties included serving as a morse code interceptor and trainer in jungle warfare.

After fulfilling his obligation with the military, he attended Lenior Rhyne (College) University in Hickory, NC where he earned his bachelor's degree in history. During his time on campus, he became very active in student government and was inducted as a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, later earning designation as their President. He has TKE to thank for putting him in the right place & right time to meet the love of his life, Verna. Thanks to a fraternity fundraiser he was conducting on campus at the time (selling candy), he tried to persuade her to make a purchase. Although he wasn't successful in getting her to buy the chocolate, he did eventually convince her to go out with him. As they say, the rest is history. After two years of dating, Steve and Verna got married at St. Andrews Lutheran Church which adjoined Lenoir Rhyne's campus. The two shared many wonderful adventures and created countless memories during their life together. They had just celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on March 29th.

His career was spent in the Information Technology field beginning as a data programmer with Lewittes Furniture in Taylorsville, followed by 25 years with Scott Wholesale Drug in Charlotte where he was promoted from a programmer through the ranks to Vice President, and then finalizing his work history as a Data Processing Manager at Northern Tool & Equipment in Fort Mill, SC.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, James Bruce and Mary Lois (Simmons) Jackson. He is survived by his devoted wife, Verna Ruth (Hanna) Jackson, his only daughter, Dana Lynne (Jackson) Clay and son-in-law, Fletcher, his treasured grandchildren, Zachary Seth Clay (wife, Jillian), Clinton Austin Clay (wife, Casey), and Hanna Clay Lyons (husband, Andrew), as well as five beautiful great-granddaughters, Piper Avery, Addison Paige, Annie Reece, Sutton Adair, and Dorothy Joy Clay. He was also anxious to welcome a great-grandson to the family in June, Caden Fletcher Lyons. In addition, he is survived by his brother, Anthony Keith Jackson, three sisters-in-law, Margaret Jackson, Julie Hanna, and Jean Hanna, as well as many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Steve was a proud American and a dedicated North Carolinian - born and raised. He loved reading, stamp and coin collecting, taking trips to explore historical sites, and enjoying the outdoors, especially fishing. He was a loyal friend, devoted husband, and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Our family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care Steve received from the many doctors and nurses at Duke Raleigh ICU, Duke University Cardiac ICU, and the Duke Hock Family Pavilion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Duke Health - Home Care & Hospice.

A celebration of life will be held on a later date which is yet to be determined.

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Garner. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com