Jennifer Gaye Eads

JENNIFER GAYE EADS November 16, 1964 ~ January 12, 2018 "Jennifer had a smile that would light up any room she entered. Her positive attitude and passion for life were infectious and she was an unforgettable blessing to all who knew her." Jennifer Gaye Eads passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, Jan. 12, 2018 in Vancouver, WA at the age of 53 after a brave battle against cancer. She was born on Nov. 16, 1964 in Magnolia, AR to J. Garrett "Gary" Jackson and Mary Ann (Stuttle) Jackson. She graduated from Hall High School in Little Rock, AR in 1983. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1988 with an Engineering degree in Computer Science. Jennifer met her husband, Rex Eads, while attending the University of Arkansas. They were married in Little Rock, AR shortly after they graduated. They moved to Vancouver, WA, where they were living their dreams for the past 29 years. She began her career at Tektronix as a software engineer. She left Tektronix to help her husband build one of the region's largest computer consulting firms, Cascade Software Consulting. Jennifer and Rex franchised the Candy Bouquet business and supported 8 franchisees in Oregon and Washington. Candy Bouquet, International (based in Little Rock, AR) used their model to begin nation-wide franchising. After selling their computer consulting firm, Jennifer began a career in accounting. She attended classes at Washington State University pursuing a CMA (Certified Management Accounting) certification. She held positions of controller at CorSource Technology, and assistant controller at Lemelson Foundation. Jennifer enjoyed challenges and excelled at everything she put her mind to. She enjoyed knitting, painting, quilting, running marathons and half-marathons. Most of all, she enjoyed nature, wildlife and the great outdoors-wilderness camping, fly fishing, hiking and kayaking with her husband. Jennifer is survived by her husband of 29 years, Rex Eads of Vancouver, WA; her grandmother, Josephine "Jo" Jackson of Little Rock, AR; her father, J. Garrett "Gary" Jackson, Jr. of Greenville, SC; her brother, J. Garrett Jackson, III of Woodruff, SC; her uncle, Charles Edward Stuttle II of Fayetteville, AR; and James E. Jackson of Little Rock, AR. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Ann (Stuttle) Jackson; her grandmother, Dorothy L. "Lily" Stuttle; her grandfather, Charles S. Stuttle; and grandfather, Col. J. Garrett "Jack" Jackson. A Celebration of Life Gathering/Party will be held Sat., March 3rd at 3:00 p.m. at The Old Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes St., Vancouver, WA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Deschutes River Alliance. She enjoyed countless camping trips along the Deschutes River in Oregon. She'd love to see it protected and the habitat improved for fish and other wildlife making the Deschutes River their home. Donate at: http://deschutesriveralliance.org/donors/ Please sign her guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Jennifer Gaye Eads

November 16, 1964 - January 12, 2018