Derek Ray Jackson

Derek Ray Jackson, 44, of Spearfish, SD passed away on October 21, 2025.

He was the second son of Robert and Gladys Jackson, formally of Bison, South Dakota and who now reside in Spearfish, South Dakota. Derek was born on a stormy tornado night on July 8, 1981, in Hettinger, North Dakota. He graduated from Bison High School in 2001. In the summers he worked at his dad’s lumber company.  He attended SDSU in Brookings, SD for one semester. Derek worked with the line crew at Grand Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Bison one summer. He then went to BHSU in Spearfish, SD for a semester. He was employed at Premier Bank in Spearfish, SD for 11 years until the bank shut down and moved to Sioux Falls. Derek moved to Rapid City where he worked for Direct TV for a year. He was baptized and confirmed into the WELS Synod at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bison, SD. Derek enjoyed theatre and music, especially the music of his brother, Darren. He loved the holidays and always decorated the outside of his home for Christmas and Halloween. He was also an avid fan of the San Francisco Golden State Warriors, never missing a game if possible. He had two cats, Prince and Beanie, who were his constant companions.

He is survived by his parents, Robert and Gladys Jackson of Spearfish, SD, his brother Darren Jackson of St. Paul, MN, his aunts and uncles Dan and Sherry Jackson, Bison, SD, Lynn and Candy (Jackson) Brandhagen, Rapid City, SD, Douglas and Lorraine (O’Rourke) Decker, LaCrosse, WI, Bayard Jerde, Pierre, SD, Mike Heinert, Morgon, Utah, and numerous cousins. He was proceeded in death by both sets of grandparents: Francis Jackson and Milford and Bertha (Jackson) Cooper, Lawrence and Alma (Besler) O’Rourke and two aunts, Judy (Jackson) Jerde and Linda (Jackson) Heinert.

 Funeral services will be held in Bison, SD on October 30th at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Mark Schutz will be officiating, and burial will be in the Bison Cemetery. Lunch will be served afterwards at the Grand Electric Social Room in Bison. Bent Willow Florist in Spearfish are helping the family during this time. A memorial has been established for the Western Hills Humane Society, Spearfish, SD 57783. Honorary Pallbearers are the Class of 2001.

Funeral arrangements were under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel & Isburg Crematory of Spearfish, SD. Online condolences may be written at https://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com/.