Jackie Edward Fuston's Obituary
Nashville Native Jackie was born on July 22, 1936 in Nashville, Tennessee, to Harold E. and Erma Ruth Fuston. Jackie was raised in Nashville and attended high school there where he played football. He remained in Nashville for his entire life except for a couple of years spent in Germany while he was in the army, from 1959 until 1962, and a couple of years spent in New Orleans. It was in Nashville where he met, married, and doted upon his wife and life partner, Jane Fuston. Together they raised two boys, his step-son, Mike Spelta, and son, Jason Fuston.Life OutdoorsJackie spent much of his time outdoors. From 1955 until 1998, he was employed by South Central Bell, and for the first half of this career he worked outdoors. His son, Jason, quoted his father as saying he hated working outside, but loved playing outside. And playing outside came naturally to Jackie. As a child his family enjoyed outdoor sports, primarily hunting trips. His family also camped and Jackie later enjoyed scuba-diving and fishing. Jackie was quoted as saying, “You know, being out here in the woods, that’s my church.” Jackie took great comfort in nature and the outdoors; it was his spiritual haven.Shooting StarThe hunting trips of his youth carried over into his adult years and then later became hunting trips with his own boys. He never got the big rack buck that most hunters wanted, but he always enjoyed himself. As well as hunting, Jackie was a member of the NRA and the Davidson’s County Sport’s Club. His own military career did not place him in active conflict, but his historical interest in warfare did keep him busy. Jackie was a proud member of the Confederate Veterans and he and Jason spent several weekends at the Tennessee Archives researching their lineage back to the Revolutionary War. Jason, Mike and Cindy noted that he was particularly fond of Army t-shirts, camouflage, and his Smith and Wesson long sleeve t-shirt. Every time they visited Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, Jason and his father had to make a stop at the Smith and Wesson store, to purchase a replacement for his worn out t-shirts.What Really MatteredWhat really mattered to Jackie was the love of his life, Jane. Jane kept Jackie in line; she was very insistent on a lot of things and Jackie ensured that all of these things were met. He would attend church if she said to, and although his parents were staunch Democrats, Jane easily converted Jackie into a lifetime Republican. Jason, Jackie’s son, remarked that although the clinical cause of Jackie’s passing was diagnosed as Alzheimer’s, he truly died of a broken heart. On August 18, 2010, Jason and Mike’s mother, Jackie’s true love, Jane, passed away. According to Jason, Mike and Cindy, this was Jackie’s biggest challenge and in the end, it conquered him.Memorable MomentsJackie’s true nature was made evident in some memorable moments with his family. On one occasion, Jackie ventured on a hunting trip with his son Jason, for whom he purchased a brand new four-wheeler. Jason and his friends spent the day riding their four-wheelers and Jason managed to bury his new vehicle handlebar deep in the lake. Fearfully he approached his father regarding the mishap, and although disgruntled at first, Jason recalls his father’s final words on the subject: “You know what, as long as you are okay, everything will be okay.” That was the type of man, and the type of father, Jackie was.Other InterestsJackie had other interests which occupied his time and kept him busy. He loved his cats. Jane and he spent many years breeding Siamese cats and Jackie grew very close to many of them. He was an avid fan of the Tennessee Volunteers Football team and was a Tennessee Squire. He spent many hours listening to the Grand Ole Opry on 650am with special interest in George Jones. Without a doubt, Jackie loved to eat, and he ate everything. A co-worker commented on how Jackie was constantly eating at work; a connoisseur of the country ham. Leaving His Mark by Standing His GroundJackie passed away on June 29, 2012. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold E. and Erma Ruth Fuston. He is survived by his children Jason (Kimberly) Fuston, Mike (April) and Cindy Spelta; grandchildren Savannah Fuston, Kristina Spelta and Jake Luttman. Jackie leaves with his family a positive legacy of courage, love and determination. He taught his boys to “stand up for themselves and always do the right thing…even if it costs you everything you have.”
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