Leonard C. Jackson, 90, of Forest City, NC died Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.  Born in Rutherford County, he was the son of the late Frederick and Tilda Hawkins Jackson and widower of the late Mary Lou Phillips Jackson.  Leonard played professional baseball for eighteen years, having been drafted by the Chicago Cubs organization and later playing for the Detroit Tigers organization.  During that time he played for teams in Janesville, Macon, Gainesville, Dallas, Johnstown, Jacksonville, Columbus, Charlotte and Asheville.  He also played for and managed the Rutherford County Owls in the early 1960’s.  Leonard attended Gardner Webb College and graduated from Western Carolina University.  He was an active member of Crestview Baptist Church , Forest City where he had previously taught Sunday school. and was an avid golfer.

Surviving are sons, Tony Jackson and wife Debra of Inman, SC and Greg Jackson of Kings Mountain, NC; a brother, Morris Jackson; three grandchildren, Katie Jones, Josh Greene, and  Robby Bellamy; seven great grandchildren, Ragan and Brooklyn Bellamy, Brady and Banks Greene, Colson Frigo, Liam Jones and Annaelise Jones and a number of nieces and nephews.  In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Jean Sellers.

A graveside service will be held at eleven o’clock Wednesday, September 25th in the Eternal Hills Memorial Park, Forest City.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Forest City Little League, P O Box 296, Forest City, NC 28043.