We are sad to announce the passing of our son, Ethan “Hunter” Jackson. Hunter was born on May 23, 2006, in Columbus, Indiana, to Tiffany Smith and Eric Jackson. His passing came unexpectedly on July 28, 2026 in Eureka.

Hunter was the oldest of his siblings. Along with us, his parents and his stepmother Bree Droulliard-Jackson, he leaves behind his sister, Ella Harper Jackson (13); stepsister, Aubrey Droulliard (10), and Irie Willow Jackson (2); his grandparents, Pamela and Larry Smith and Rick Rodgers and a great-grandmother, Patricia Smith, all of Bartholomew County, Indiana; his aunties and uncles Nina Burk, Brandon Smith, Angel Bianconi, Megan Rodgers, Wade Wiles, Matthew Wiles.

Hunter graduated in 2024 from South Fork High School in Miranda. At the beginning of 2010, we moved to Garberville from the outskirts of Columbus, Indiana. Hunter was raised in the Garberville/Redway area (Southern Humboldt) since he was three (3) years old. Hunter enjoyed playing little league baseball as a child. As he grew older he became very into skateboarding. He enjoyed swimming in the river, attending the local music festivals, and running around the hills and forests with his friends. When settled at home with his friends and family you’d find a chess board on the table where you’re lucky to beat him at a game.

Hunter was always a quiet one who stayed to himself as a child but as he grew older he had many, many friends who loved and cherished his quirky demeanor. Hunter was such a kind and loving young man who had a lot of life left in him. I know he was destined for greatness. Hunter will forever be in our hearts. The Southern Humboldt community, his homes both in Redway and Rancho Sequoia, allowed him to grow into who he was today. He loved these hills and forests, the roaring redwoods next to our home, and the river we would walk to almost every day in the summer. He enjoyed heading to the Humboldt Crabs baseball games, as well as hitting the SF Giants games down in San Francisco.

Though he is no longer present here with us, he will be deeply missed and always remembered. He has left many, many cherished memories for all of us.

A celebration of life to honor his kind soul will be held at a future date when we are ready. We will give ample time for families traveling out of the area to be able to attend. Thank you all for loving our sweet, sweet boy as much as we loved him.

May his memories and spirit live on and he rest in peace. Fly high, our sweet angel.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Hunter Jackson’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.