Richard Jacks, Jr., age 58 joined the ancestors on November 18th, 2023 at his home in Heathsville, Virginia. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Richard Eastep Jacks, Sr., his brother, Ronald Anthony Jacks (Ampey), and son, Richard Jack, III (RJ), all of Charles County Maryland. Richard was a proud graduate of Lackey High School in Indian Head Maryland where he tried his hand in various school activities. However, it was in the shop classes or "Industrial Arts" where he found his true calling. A gifted tinkerer from an early age, Richard demonstrated uncanny abilities in mechanical things. By the age of 14 he already had the ability to diagnose, disassemble, repair, and reassemble cars and machines of that age. With knowledge gained from his father (a master stone and brick mason) and his uncle James Morris (Teeny), he eventually learned enough to confidently start and operate his own business shortly after high school. With a desire to broaden and strengthen his already formidable capabilities, he joined the Steamfitters Local 602 in 1986 and began a career that would leave a lasting impact on the many projects, companies, and people he would work with over the next 34 years.

Richard quickly established himself as a "Jacks" of-all-trades. Whether he had a stinger, torch, wrench, level, blueprints, or telephone in his hand, there was next to nothing that seemed beyond his scope of abilities. His peers acknowledge that his skills extended far beyond the mechanical field. Most will remember him for his no-nonsense approach to work and the people working with him. Richard was a ferocious advocate for the people he was entrusted to lead and endeared himself to many with his straightforwardness, sometimes brutal honesty, and iron-clad integrity. What he believed was what he believed, what he felt was what he felt, and what he knew was definitely what he knew. It wasn't long before he rose through the ranks of journeymen to become a valued foreman and ultimately, superintendent. He left his mark on countless projects large and small that people living in the DMV pass by every day. From nuclear power plants to the National Harbor, he was able to use his hands and his heart to help change the region forever. After retirement from Local 602, he loaned his expertise to general contractors DPR and Yates Construction where he left a lasting impression with his vast understanding of the complexities of very large-scale construction projects.

With Richard, work, family, and friendship often blended to give him a life that he cherished deeply. People from all sectors of his life were always invited with open arms to enjoy fellowship, good food and good music as a part of his "extended family." Whether acquainted for five minutes or fifty years, Richard treated most people like FAMILY. Outside the timeless music he grew up with, Richard loved three things: FORDs, FARM, and FAMILY.

Richard is survived by his mother Mamie Jacks of Waldorf, MD, his brothers Donald Jacks of Richmond, VA and James Jacks of Waldorf, MD, his sister Bonita Jacks, and his children Anthony, Victoria (Angela nee Middleton), Brandon, Elizabeth, and Mamie (Becky nee Odigie). His children represent his legacy, his soul, and the best of him to be carried into the future and passed on to his grandchildren Mariah, Elijah, Jayden and Abigail. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles James Morris of Charles County MD, John and Barbera-Jean Herd of Woodbridge, VA, Melvin Herd of Chicago, IL, Catherine Herd of Baltimore, MD, Peter and Dee Herd of Clarksburg, TN, and Cecil and Claudia Herd of Washington, DC. Countless cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and extended family members remain to remember the spirit, life, and love of "Our Bernie Mac."

MAY HIS SPIRIT LIVE, LAUGH, AND LOVE THROUGH EACH OF US

Friends may visit with the family Saturday, December 9th from 2:00 p.m. until time of Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. in The Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, 3439 Livingston Road Indian Head, MD 20640. Interment will be private.

On Saturday, December 9th at 3:00 pm, please click on the link below to live stream the service.
Please make sure when viewing the services that the volume located in the right lower corner (where it says "live") on the viewing screen is turned up (the bars should be blue).
The streaming will begin after the final family viewing.  Therefore, there may be a delay before the service appears on the screen. Thank you.

https://www.thorntonfuneralhomepa.com/live-stream