Carolee was born on April 7, 1941, to Frank and Maxine Bates in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. And while she spent her adult life in the United States, she was forever a girl from the prairies of Canada.

Carolee spent most of her childhood in Carmengay and Vulcan, Alberta. Farming wasn’t an easy life, but Carolee thrived. She loved to explore with her brother, and she was an exceptional student and a gifted seamstress. In high school she won a national 4H prize in fashion.

After high school, Carolee attended BYU. She majored in clothing and textiles along with business. At BYU, Carolee met Newell Jackson from Ogden, Utah, and they married in the Cardston, Alberta, Temple on August 29, 1962. She graduated from BYU the following spring, and had the first of their eight children that summer.

Due to Newell’s employment, they moved often. Carolee’s dad once quipped that every time they got a call home from Carolee, she was either announcing another move or another baby. They lived in Utah, California, Nevada, and Colorado. After raising their family, Carolee and Newell settled in West Haven, Utah. But Carolee always counted Canada as her home.

Carolee leaves behind a powerful legacy to her family. Carolee was an incredibly hard worker who taught her children to work hard by her example. She created wonderful traditions that made childhood magical, no matter where they lived, and Carolee loved to carry on those traditions with her grandkids.

When her children were older, Carolee went to work managing dental offices, and when they moved to Utah, she and Newell were general contractors in the Ogden area where they built beautiful homes until their retirement.

For Carolee, retirement was no respite. Rather it finally gave her time to work on her own projects rather than everyone else’s. She went back to her roots by planting a huge garden and returning to her sewing room to become a quilter. Her quilts have become family treasures.

Carolee also leaves a legacy of faith. She taught her children how to live the gospel by living it herself every day. She served in any capacity she was asked to and always ministered to the one. Carolee and Newell served in the Denver Temple and they completed several service missions in Utah. Her whole life was a testimony of the gospel.

Carolee is survived by her husband of 64 years and their children: Jeff Jackson (Tami), Stephanie Loud (Mike), Michele Smyth (David), Brad Jackson (LeeAnne), Lisa Thomson (Dan), Kim Turner (Mark), Melissa Virgin (Nathan), and Christian Jackson (Deborah). She is also survived by her brothers Frank Bates (Elisa) and Darryl Bates (Valerie), her sister Judy Manville (Gordon), and her sister-in-law Kayleen Bates along with her 27 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Carolee is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Dan Bates, and her daughter-in-law Becky Jackson (Jeff).

The family would like to thank Bristol Hospice and Lotus Park for their tender care. Carolee’s children especially would like to thank their dad for the tender care he provided their mom throughout her life and especially the last five years. Dad, you were her hero until the very end.

A viewing will be held for Carolee on Sunday, October 18, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84404. A funeral service will be held the following day, October 19, 2026 at 11 a.m. at 2333 S 2700 W, West Haven, UT 84401, with a viewing held prior from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Friends and family are invited to share stories and photos of Carolee on her memorial page at myers-mortuary.com/obituaries/carolee-jackson-2026.

All services entrusted to Myers Mortuary in Ogden.