$1.4 million from the trust of a lifelong Jasper County resident is going to four projects in Newton. The Curt Jackson Trust money will be used by Jasper County Conservation, Newton Parks & Recreation, Newton Public Library, and Newton YMCA. 

Jasper County Conservation has been given $1,230,182. Conservation Director Keri Van Zante says that will be spent on finishing the basement classrooms and building a handicap-accessible dock at the Dana King Ceretti Environmental Education Center. 

Newton Park Operations Superintendent Nick Cummins says $125,000 gifted to Newton Parks & Recreation will complete the Harmony Park Splash Pad restroom project, enhancing a popular family community space and leaving a lasting mark on Newton’s parks.

The Newton Public Library and the Newton YMCA have both been gifted $40,000. Library Director Nicole Terry says Curt “loved learning and valued access to information,” so his money will be used to digitize the local newspaper and support ongoing subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal — publications Jackson enjoyed reading daily. The YMCA’s $40,000 will be used on building improvements and renovations focused on children’s programming.

Curt Jackson passed away on March 1, 2025, at age 88. He was born in Newton, where he spent his early childhood. His family then moved to Reasnor. He graduated from Monroe High School and worked for Deere & Company in Waterloo before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1958. After leaving the Army, he returned to the family farm outside Reasnor for a few years. He then worked on the Maytag dryer assembly line up to his retirement. Jackson never married, and is survived by three nieces and one nephew.