Honorary Walk for Organ Donners JJ Jackson brings peace and healing to the widow

“JJ” Jackson was an avid motorcyclist and was part of the wider community of riders. As a registered organ donor, Jjjackson revealed his wishes upon his death.

Jeffrey “JJ” Jackson's Facebook page has a post containing a photo of him behind the windshield of his fluorescent green limited edition Harley Davidson Road King Motorcycle. The caption reads “Live to ride, go on a live show.”

Certainly, horse riding was Jackson's passion.

On the evening of June 19th, Jackson asked his wife Angela if he wanted to join him by riding “Therapy of the Wind.” She was already in bed and refused his offer.

“I didn't feel good that day,” she said. “He kissed me and said, 'I love you.' ”

A few hours later, 62-year-old JJ was seriously injured after a collision with a vehicle on Hull Road, in front of the VFW hall in Vevay Township. He has been on life support ever since. On June 27th, family and friends lined up in the hall of ICU at UM Health-Sparrow, bid farewell to JJ and were taken to Ann Arbor to prepare for a donation.

His free spirit lives on to others.

“He's going to miss so many people,” Angela said. “He gives other people the gift of life, so it helps me find peace.”

Heartbreak and hope for organ donation

Over 200 people lined up in the hall for an honorary walk. This is a tradition of organ donation where people come together to pay respect for organ donation, recognizing the heartbreak and hope of organ donation.

“Today was the greatest gift for a terrifying, terrible loss,” Angela said. “…Today, he intends to give multiple people the gift of life and live forever.”

Although JJ was declared brain dead, his body remained on a ventilator until he arranged for an organ donation. It's an unusual gift. Because it gives the health care provider more time to transplant to his organs.

“Amanda (nothing?) from the gift of life told me that JJ is a 'beautiful Ultra Majestic Unicorn',” Angela said. “The reason is that only 03% of ICU patients can become donors.”

One organ donor can donate up to eight life-saving organs in addition to tissues. JJ was a registered donor, as well, over half of Michigan adults. There are waiting lists nationwide for people in need of organ transplants.

JJ lived to ride

JJ and his son, Isaiah, were passionate about mini bikes. He bought dozens of them and repaired them as a child of Isaiah. They attended Swap Meets and Mini Bike Shows throughout the state.

In June 2020, Jackson and his wife went to the Battle Creek Harley-Davidson Shop. There, “He's chatting with his salespeople as usual,” Angela said. “I found that green bike and I went to 'Baby, come here, come here'. He's like, “Yeah, I saw it.” I bought it that day. ”

JJ has found friendship and friendship in the riding community.

“He made so many friends and new families through that bike,” his wife said. “Wind therapy was the way he cared for him.”

“JJ loved her granddaughter Mahvare vigorously. Her ability to love was beyond traditional families,” Angela said.

“Family was everything,” she said. “He was the one who took you to who you were. …Family didn't mean blood all the time.Family meant people who surrounded you and loved you.

After an honorary walk on Friday, his motorcycle family paid the final tribute. They rode a group to Michigan Hell. It was one of JJ's favorites. Angela summarizes:

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the name of JJ Jackson's granddaughter Mahvare. JJ's name is Jeffrey. It was wrong in previous versions of this story.