Newton C Jackson, P. E.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Newton C. Jackson on April 5, 2025, in Olympia, Washington, at the age of 82. He was born on October 17, 1942, in Coulee Dam, Washington to Claude H. Jackson and Thalis Culver Jackson. He graduated from Ephrata High School in 1961 and attended Washington State University (WSU) where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and met his wife of 60 years, Helen Jackson.

Helen and Newt moved to Aberdeen, Washington after graduating in 1966 to begin his career as an engineer with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and start their family. Tired of the rain, they moved to Olympia, Washington a couple of years later, where Newt enjoyed a successful career and he and Helen raised their two daughters, Barb and Diane.

Newt was passionate about his work and was fortunate enough to enjoy a long and successful career. He spent the first 27 years of his 54-year career with WSDOT and the next 27 years, following retirement, working as a private consultant and Senior Civil Engineer for Nichols Consulting. He also taught continuing education classes for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) was actively involved with the Transportation Research Board and was considered an expert in his field. One of his greatest joys was traveling to other countries to consult on their pavement systems. He traveled to Sweden, Norway, Copenhagen, Lithuania, Iceland, China, Hong Kong, South Africa, Panama and among others.

When not working, Newt enjoyed spending quality time with family, working in the yard, hiking, camping, golfing, woodworking, and listening to jazz music. He was a great photographer and especially liked taking pictures during hikes on Mt. Rainier, roadways during family road trips, and (less appreciated) candid pictures of his family. He was partial to a nice glass of wine and sharing stories from his travels and of his childhood. He loved snorkeling in Hawaii and he and Helen returned there many times.

Newt was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He was smart, funny, quick-witted, and sarcastic. He had an unwavering work ethic, a no-nonsense attitude, and gave sound, thoughtful, and sometimes life-changing advice. He will be deeply missed.

He was a proud father to his two daughters, Barb Roloff and Diane Henderson, their husbands, Chris Roloff and Brian Henderson, and his four grandchildren, Rachel and Erin Roloff and Paul and Paige Henderson. Newt also leaves his niece, Tina Pinar, nephew, Terry Klein, and sister-in-law, Liz Austin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude H. Jackson and Thalis Culver, his sister, Jerry Klein, his brother, Doug Jackson, and his nephew, Dana Klein.

A Celebration of Life for Newton at Funeral Alternatives on Saturday May 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Washington's National Park Fund, a cause that supports the National Parks that Newt enjoyed so much.