Hugh McWhirter Jackson, age 87, of Rancho Cucamonga, California passed away January 2024 from a sudden respiratory illness and complications of Parkinson's disease and diabetes. Hugh will be interred in the Troy Grove Cemetery. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is handling local arrangements.

Hugh was born to Hugh and Sadie Jackson. He is survived by his wife Ann Jackson; sister Lelah (aka Charlotte) Jackson; five children, Hugh (Jett), Jeff, Greg, Claudine, and Laura; and grandchildren Hugh (Mac), Rebekah, Gavin, Tanner, and Liam.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Aletha Morrison, and brother-in-law Warren Morrison.

Hugh's greatest passion was flying. He earned a Private Pilot's license at the young age of 16. Hugh graduated from Mendota High School in 1954. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1957 and became a Cornell Fellow in 1958. In 1969 Hugh received a Ph.D. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois. Hugh spent 24 years as a military operational fighter pilot and five years as a NASA research pilot from 1966 to 1971. He continued as a civilian pilot for many years after his military career. It was his highest honor to have his name accepted for placement on a microchip embedded in the rover scheduled to land in Jezero Crater on Mars in July 2026. NASA informed Hugh that this will merit him 1.1 billion travel award points.

Hugh also enjoyed teaching. He taught at the University of Illinois, California State Polytechnic University, and finally Astronomy at Chaffey College. He especially enjoyed showing students how to view the stars through his telescope.

Hugh was an elected School Board Trustee for Central School District, California from 1998 to 2022. Upon retiring in November of 2022, he was honored with the naming of a new classroom building at Doña Merced Elementary.

One of Hugh's greatest loves was seeing his fellow 1954 Mendota High School graduates during reunions and special celebrations around the Mendota Sweet Corn Festival time. Think of Hugh the next time you are flying somewhere, skiing, running a marathon, drinking a Pabst beer, or just biting into an anchovy on a pizza – he loved anchovies!