Gary L. "Jet" Jackson
January 02, 1947 - July 29, 2020
Obituary
MADISON – Gary “Jet” Jackson, longtime resident and restaurant owner, passed away on July 29, 2020, at Four Winds Nursing Home in Verona. Jet was born in Wausau and grew up in Merrill, Wis. He graduated from UW-Madison and was a Badger through and through. He was a loving husband to Beverly Barr Schmelzer and a wonderful, committed father to her daughter, Kersten. He was an ardent brain injury advocate after Kersten suffered a traumatic brain injury during a motor vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver. His passion was the food industry. He owned and operated the Brathaus on State Street for many years and Namio's Supper Club on Park Street, both in Madison. He was an avid Badgers and Packers fan. He was a Badgers football season ticket holder attending games for well over 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly; his brothers-in-law, Carl and Steve Barr; his mother and father-in-law, Arthur and Norma Barr; his parents, John and Doris (Ziolkowski) Jackson; as well as his sister-in-law, Bernadette Ryan Jackson. He is survived by his daughter, Kersten; brother-in-law, Art Barr; sister-in-law, Lori Barr; brother, Dennis; sisters, Mary (Martin) Schmidt and Vicki Jackson (Philip Knapp); and nieces and nephews, Sarah (Steve) Duford, Ryan (Kim) Schmidt, Logan Schmidt, and Hannah and Samuel Knapp.
A memorial service will be held at a future date when in-person gatherings are possible. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin (biaw.org) would be very much appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
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Vivian Schmelzer
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My deepest condolences to the Jet's family and friends. I have many fond memories of Jet. From the restaurants he owned to his loving personality. The world has lost an incredible man.
LR
Len Rogan
Other •
I worked for Jet at The Brathaus in the early seventies. He was one of my best teachers. I initially scoffed at his system, but soon learned I could so much more than I had thought.
MM
Michael Monfils
Other •
I worked at the Brathaus from 1981-88. Jet was like a father to me, and I can say without reservation that I learned more about life and responsibility at the restaurant than I did in college. The atmosphere, with all the strange and colorful characters and irregular regulars was not unlike the TV show "Cheers." It was an honor and a privilege to work there and to be his employee. So many fond memories. Michael Monfils -- Green Bay, WI