Joe Jackson, 89, passed away June 27, 2018. He was most notably the patriarch of the Jackson family, father to superstar sons Michael and Janet and father-in-law of singer-songwriters Katherine Jackson and Debbie Rowe. Joe was born in Fountain Hill, Arkansas, on July 26th, 1928. He moved with his family to East Chicago, Indiana, where he lived until his death. Joe met his wife, Katherine Scruse, at church in East Chicago when he was 18, and married her three years later in November 1949. The couple went on to have 10 children. Joe was a talented musician and encouraged his children to pursue music. He founded the Jackson 5, and was the group's original manager. Joe also managed his sons’ solo careers and they went on to become some of the most successful artists of all time. Joe’s larger than life personality motivated his family to become one of the most successful and influential musical groups in history and to pursue social causes especially advocating for youth programs broke barriers for young minorities in the entertainment industry. He is survived by his wife Katherine, nine children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.