Jackson Ray Kyle Jacoby was born on October 16, 2012, in Denison, Texas, and passed away far too soon on June 25, 2026, in Eastland County. He was only 13 years old, but the mark he left on the people around him will last far longer than his years on earth.
Jackson was the son of Shanea Davlin and Matthew Jacoby. Though Matthew was his father, it was Robert Moreno, the man Jackson called his “brown dad,” who raised him and shaped so much of who he became.
Robert has since passed as well, and those who loved Jackson take comfort in believing the two of them are together again, probably picking up right where they left off, maybe even with Robert giving him a gentle smack on the back of the head for getting there so soon.
His aunt Kathy is likely right there with them too, sharing a drink and a laugh, the way family does even on the other side. Jackson also loved visiting his papa, a relationship that brought him real joy throughout his short life.
He leaves behind a large and loving family: his mother, Shanea; his father, Matthew, and his wife, Brittany; sisters Elena, Allijaye, and Harper; brothers Trenton and Remington; grandparents Rodney and Lacey Davlin, Teresa Davlin, Bobby and Vicki Jacoby, Evelyn Samora, and Tammy Amick.
He had aunts, uncles, and a long list of cousins who adored him, along with countless friends in the community who knew his personality and couldn’t help but love him for it.
A Life Defined by Heart and Honesty
To know Jackson was to love him. He had a smart mouth and wasn’t afraid to use it, but underneath that wit was one of the biggest hearts anyone could find in someone so young.
He loved being outdoors, tinkering with things until he made them work again, and collecting items not for himself but because he knew someone else would appreciate them.
That generous spirit showed itself in ways big and small. At the Ranger Community Quarter Store, people remember a young Jackson asking politely if he could keep a discarded toy, grateful even for something simple.
Later, when a bag containing a full cash deposit went missing before anyone at the store even noticed, it was Jackson who found it. Instead of keeping it or walking away, he made sure it got back to where it belonged.
That single choice says everything about the kind of character he carried at such a young age.
Jackson’s life reminds everyone that goodness isn’t measured by years lived but by the impact made. His honesty, his kindness, and his unmistakable personality will stay with everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Visitation was held from 12:00 to 2:00 PM on Monday, June 29, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Eastland, followed by a service at 2:00 PM, officiated by Brother Gerald Gunstanston.
The family has asked that instead of flowers, donations be made to causes close to Jackson’s heart, including the Ranger Community Quarter Store and Food for Thought. Burial expenses are expected to reach at least $6,000, and anyone wishing to help the family can reach out to Tim Meador at Edwards Funeral Home.
The Helping Hands group will also be hosting an auction to support the family during this difficult time.
No parent should ever have to bury a child. As the community grieves alongside the Jacoby family, the message remains simple: Jackson’s life mattered, his kindness mattered, and he will not be forgotten.
