Pastor Sam was born on March 31, 1933, in Marquette, MI, to Charles A. Jackson and Kathleen L. (Olivier) Jackson, joining his two-year-old sister, Jean Therese Jackson. He attended parochial schools, graduating from Bishop Baraga High School in 1950.
After spending several years with the Capuchin Franciscan Order, he became a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He continued his ministry for over 50 years, well beyond his official retirement.
His passion was preaching the Gospel and teaching, striving to make the ancient texts relevant to current events in language people could understand. He volunteered at the Dodge County Alcoholism and Drug Treatment Center until it closed. Pastor Sam cared deeply for the marginalized and voiceless people in our society. He believed a country would be judged by how well or poorly it treated the least fortunate of its people.
In 1975, he married Arlene (McClelland) McQuillan, who had two sons, Marcus and Thomas. He loved family life and often said it made him a much better person and pastor. He also loved being "Grampa" to Marcus, Amy, Michelle, Elizabeth, Joshua, and Rebecca, and great-grandpa to Jaxon, Ben, Ella, Aubree, Maya, Austin, Knox, Harper, Vayda, Nadia, Sharla, and Conrad.
As a Lutheran pastor, he first served two rural congregations in northern Wisconsin, Elim in Range and Bethany in Almena. In 1980, he received a call to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Horicon. Pastor Sam served there for 22 years until his retirement. After officially retiring in 2001, he continued to serve as an interim pastor and Sunday supply pastor in numerous congregations.
He loved both indoor and outdoor sports, especially fishing. He also appreciated all kinds of music, including sacred, classical, folk, pop, and country. He often used the poetry of song lyrics to illustrate his sermons because he maintained that truth could be found in every corner of the human experience, often where one would least expect to find it.
Pastor Sam's beloved wife and life partner, Arlene, passed away on September 9, 2019, after a long illness during which Pastor Sam cared for her around the clock. Pastor Sam was grateful for his special friends, Dale and James Stoeberl, Dave and Marlys Fredericks, and Bee Xiong, whom he considered an adopted granddaughter.
Pastor Sam was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arlene; his parents, Charles and Kathleen Jackson; his sister, Jean Therese Jackson; and his sons, Marcus and Thomas McQuillan. He is survived by his daughters-in-law, Dawn McQuillan and Laura McQuillan, and their families.
A Celebration of Life for Pastor Sam took place on Monday, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church of Arland in Arland with Rev. Tim Vettrus officiating. A visitation for Pastor Sam was held at church on Monday. Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Arland Cemetery.
Sam believed deeply in helping those in need and giving generously to others. In honor of his compassionate spirit and lifelong commitment to serving others, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charitable organization of your choice.
