Troy Jackson, husband, father, woodsman, musician, story-teller, and wise man, passed away quietly an hour before dawn on November 3, 2011, at the age of sixty five.

Troy was born in Rhode Island to Anna and Henry Jackson on November 20,1945, and the family moved to California when Troy was six months old. He grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mts. near Placerville. He learned trapping, fishing, hunting, logging, and construction from his dad.

He was a linebacker for the El Dorado Cougars in Placerville, Calif., and graduated in 1963.

Troy married his high school sweetheart, Cyndy Barrett, in 1965 and had two sons: Darin and Donovan (Bo).

He joined the National Guard in 1964 becoming platoon sergeant and was on active duty at the Watts riots. He was a deputy sheriff in El Dorado County, Calif., and worked as a butcher with aunt Myrtle in Camino, Calif.

Troy met the love of his life, Mari Mueske, at Lake Tahoe in 1972, and they married in Iowa in 1975. He worked in construction then and as a welder in St. Paul. Their only child, Angela Marie, was born in Placerville, Calif., in 1978. Troy was then working on the ranch his parents managed, and was a Jack-of-all-trades there with wood, horses, cattle, irrigation, etc. He was a log skidder in the mountains and big machine operator in Sacramento and Modesto, Calif.

In 1980 Troy and his family moved "back to the land" and built a homestead just east of Rock Falls, Wis., that became known as the "Outpost, Village of Gold." He loved gardening, cooking, eating, camping, canoeing, grilling, walking the woods and prairie, socializing, music, reading, TV crime shows, crossword puzzles, playing horseshoes and golf, sitting on the porch with friends and building. He and Mari designed and built their earth-sheltered passive solar home, and barns for Angie's beloved horses and his sawmill. For years Troy worked in the woods as a cutter and log truck driver, planted thousands of trees, did photography and frame building, was a creative woodworker, sold Christmas trees, and played Santa. Troy developed a love for golf and over the years, transformed the Outpost into a unique and natural prairie golf course, where magical times were often shared with his many golfing buddies.

Troy did get knocked down physically many times and somehow recovered with the help of a close circle of friends and family. He was treated well at Mayo Clinic Health System over the years while making "friends" with many Drs. and nurses. Always the fighter, Troy arose each morning determined to share his love of life with an amazing variety of people. Music was his therapy. He played harmonica as "Lightnin' Troy" and was a member of several bands, including the Night Crawlers, the Front Porch Friends, and the Sliced Bread Jug Band. Local musicians of some renown often invited Troy to join in during performances. He learned to play the guitar and was a creative songwriter. Troy's quick wit and gift as a story-teller of both fiction and non-fiction tales made memories for many.

Troy is survived by his wife, Mari; daughter, Angie (Dan) Petschow, of Mondovi, Wis.; sons, Darin and Donovan (Bo) and their families; aunt, Minnie Tassone; father-in-law, Cliff (CJ) Mueske; mother-in-law, Donna Mueske; brother-in law, Mark Mueske; sister-in-law, Rita Mueske; brother-in-law, Rick Mueske and his wife, Paula; nieces and nephews, Chris, Maria, Isaac, and Amanda; and a wide community of friends and followers who miss him dearly.

Troy was preceded in death by his parents; and uncle, Bruno Tassone.

A celebration of Troy will be held on November 20 at Unity Christ Center, 1808 Folsom St. in Eau Claire, Wis. Open house/gathering/visitation at 2 p.m., eulogies at 3 p.m., potluck dinner at 5 p.m., music throughout.