Valton Elmer Jackson enlisted in the US Navy after graduation in 1945 and left for boot camp that Summer near the end of World War II. He served a 3 year term in the medical corps that included caring for the combat veterans suffering from severe PTSD at the naval hospital in Dublin, Georgia, and later at the submarine base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Val was honorably discharged in 1948 and returned home to Kanab

Val enrolled at Brigham Young University in 1951 and showed up as a not so young, but very mature freshman to continue his education. Val graduated from BYU with his Bachelor's Degree in Economics and a Masters Degree in Education Administration in 1956.

Val spent 21 years teaching at the Kanab seminary, 6 years at the Institute of Religion at Arizona State University, and 10 years at the Institute of Religion at Utah Valley University in Orem. Val served in many different church callings throughout his life. He cherished the time that he served as president of the Kanab Stake from 1974-1982.

Val is survived by his wife of almost 72 years Afton, and his 6 sons, 23 Grandchildren, and 41 Great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter-in-law\ and a great-grandson.

Funeral services were held on June 24, 2024.