DUSTIN LANG "CRICKET" JACKSON

Dustin Lang “Cricket” Jackson, “Akicita Ska Hoksina” (White Warrior Boy) started his journey into the Spirit World on Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Dustin was 38 years old. Cricket was born May 21, 1974 in Devils Lake, ND and was the loving son of Deborah Jackson and Paul Driver Jr. He grew up in rural St. Michael where he lived with his maternal grandparents, Ignatius and Sadie Jackson. Cricket attended Four Winds Community School and graduated with the class of 1994. Throughout high school, Cricket played basketball and made many lifelong friendships with most everyone he met. After graduation Cricket enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. On September 14, 1994, Dustin was sent to “Boot Camp” at Marine Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA (MCRD). After graduating from Boot Camp, earning his title as a U.S. Marine, he was sent to Camp Pendleton, CA, home of the 1st Marine Division. Dustin completed M.C.T. “Marine Combat Training”, and began his training as a 0844 Field Artillery Fire Control Man. Private Jackson had completed his initial Basic training, Combat Training and MOS training and then served as an Artillery Man in the Marine Corps, serving with 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment. Over the course of 2 ½ years in the Marines, his service took him overseas to the Persian Gulf Region, serving 8 ½ months there with 6 of those months at sea. In April of 1997, Private First Class, Dustin Jackson was discharged from the Marine Corps. Dustin earned several commendations including, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1 Service Star, Navy/Marine Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Marine Marksman Badge. Dustin served our great country. He was a United States Marine, a title which few can ever earn…that is why the Marines are referred to as “The Few…The Proud…The MARINES”. Marine Boot Camp is the hardest and lengthiest to complete and upon graduating from Boot Camp, recruits earn the life time title “U.S. Marine”. Cricket served until 1996 when he returned home to his family. After his return, Cricket enjoyed spending time with his many nieces, nephews, family and friends. In the summers Cricket played softball, legion baseball and basketball with his “Bros”. He was most recently employed at the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort. Cricket is survived by his mother, Deborah Jackson; father, Paul (Maria) Driver Jr.; brothers, Joseph (Cali) Jackson Sr., Dwight Jackson and Brandon Driver; sisters, Gail Jackson, Lacie (Chad) Driver, Jennifer Driver and Kami Driver-Garver; aunts, Phyllis Jackson, Claudette Jackson-Ross, Paula Jackson-Goulet, Paulette Driver, Verna Driver, Stacy Driver and Lisa Driver; step father, Joseph Azure; uncle, Burton (Barbara) Jackson; special nephews, Grady Idland and Ayden Jackson. He was preceded in death by his great grandparents, Michael T. Jackson and Lillian Chase; grandparents, Ignatius and Sadie Jackson, Paul Driver Sr., Shirley Belgarde, Earl, Everette, Oliver and Levi Smith, Anna Mae Belgarde and Teresa Belgarde; uncles, Ignatius Jackson Jr., Adrian P. Jackson, Philip A. Jackson, Leander Belgarde and Michael “Buggs” Thompson. Active Pallbearers for Dustin will be Joseph Jackson Sr., Dwight Jackson, Larse Azure, Pernell Jackson, Ignatius “Pugsly” Jackson and Adrian “Mitch” Omen. Honorary Pallbearers will be Justin (Joy) Azure, Jerry Jensen, Wayne (Jennifer) Black, Philmore “Spanky” Jackson, Donovan Lambert, Harry “Beaver” Walters, Dusty Black, Sheldon Greywater, Duane Jackson Jr., Robert “Kojack” Thompson, Burton “BJ” Robertson, Karissa Azure, Shieleen Omen, Evelyn Jackson, Robert “Robby” Cavanaugh and Dean Dauphinais Jr. Rhythm Riders will share their music and songs in memory of Cricket. The Wake for Dustin will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at St. Michael’s Recreation Center, St. Michael beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael’s Recreation Center will leave on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. from WalMart. Funeral Services will also be at St. Michael’s Recreation Center on Friday at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery.