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Dr. Carter Thornton Jackson

Dr. Carter Thornton Jackson passed away January 24, 2015, on his beloved cattle ranch in Glenwood Springs while surrounded by his family. Doc Jackson was 91 at the time of his death and still enjoyed checking on his cattle and riding through the valley watching deer and elk.

Carter was born to Florence and Carter Thornton “Jack” Jackson on August 14, 1923, in Lander, Wyoming. He was the oldest of four, Charles, William and Ruth. The family lived in Wyoming, Pennsylvania and New Jersey before settling on Four Mile Creek in 1937. Carter graduated in 1941 from Garfield County High School.

After ranching for several years, Carter enlisted in the army in 1944. His division was assigned to General Patton’s Third Army in early March 1945. After crossing the Mosel and Rhine Rivers, he was taken prisoner by the Germans. The group of POWs was marched from place to place, including several days at the infamous Dachau concentration camp before escaping German captivity and being sheltered by partisans in Kdyne, Czechoslovakia.

Following his rescue by the Americans, he weighed 97 pounds and was returned to the USA to recover and complete his military service at Fort McDowell. Due to his experiences in WWII, he endeavored to always treat others with respect and kindness.

The summer before starting veterinary school at Colorado State University, Carter worked at Trail Lake Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming, as a horse wrangler. It was during this summer that he met the “love of his life,” a dude from Pennsylvania named Louise. Carter and Louise van Keuren were married on December 21, 1948, in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Doc’s first veterinary practice was in Riverton, Wyoming, but he and Louise and their growing family returned to Glenwood Springs in 1952, starting the Glenwood Veterinary Clinic, where he practiced until 1982.

Carter and Louise became the proud parents of four daughters and made many friends in the area. In the spring of 1955, they purchased their ranch, the Lazy H Slash Eleven, moving there permanently in 1961.

Carter was a very active member of the Glenwood Springs community. He served as a Director of the First National Bank, was a Chamber of Commerce Member and became Chamber President in 1970. He was a Sunlight Ski Area Charter Board Member and President, Holy Cross Electric Association Board Member and Treasurer, Director of the Glenwood Springs Rural Fire Protection District, United Way Board Member and President, and served on the Glenwood City River and Trails Commission, the Valley View Hospital Foundation, the Aspen Valley Land Trust, and was a Kiwanis member for 61 years.

Colorado Mountain College named Carter “Outstanding Friend of the College” in 1996. In 2004, Carter and Louise were honored by the Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce as “Citizens of the Year.” The Garfield Country Commission awarded him with the “Spirit of the West” honor in 2010.

Survivors include: The Love of his Life and wife of 66 years, Louise; daughter and son-in-law Thersa and Bob Dando; daughter Susan Jackson; daughter and son-in-law Patty and Bob Cook; daughter and son-in-law Sandy Jackson and Jim Campbell.

Carter was also the proud grandfather of seven granddaughters: Kate Doran and husband Kevin, Rachel Dando, Cassie Dando, Allison Dando, Leslie Cook, Bridget Klee and husband Steve, and Martha Cook. He is further survived by his brother Charles and sister-in-law Frieda.

A private memorial service will be held next summer. His family hopes that you will honor Carter’s memory by embracing his passion for family and dedication to leaving the world a better place.

One of Carter’s proudest accomplishments was placing a conservation easement on the Lazy H Slash Eleven Ranch. Donations in his memory may be made to the Aspen Valley Land Trust, 320 Main Street, #204, Carbondale, CO 81623.


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