Herbert W. "Herb" Jackson, 72, beloved and respected elder of the Nez Perce Tribe, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, June 19, 2016, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.

Throughout his life, nothing was more important to Herb than family and friends, and he was surrounded by loved ones day and night throughout his stay in the hospital.

Born July 28, 1943, to Andrew and Ruth (Corbett) Jackson, Herb was raised in Kamiah and graduated from Kamiah High School in 1961. He had a brief marriage to Rita Adams, which ended in divorce. In 1973, he met and married the love of his life, Lynda Taylor. The couple made their home in Lapwai, where they raised their five children and doted on their many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Herb was extremely active with the Nez Perce Tribe, especially in his role on the Tribal Fish Commission. He was well-known throughout the Northwest for his expertise in protecting treaty rights and integrating tribal practices with government policy in protecting and managing salmon habitat and yields. He made a living as a boilermaker, and was a proud member of Local No. 242 from January 1966 to 2006.

In his spare time, Herb enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting and spending time with his family. He was an avid fan of the Lapwai High School Wildcats, where many of his children were star athletes. Herb was known for his cheerfulness, sense of humor and easy-going personality. He enjoyed having a chat and a laugh with anyone he met; he never knew a stranger. Herb also never met a casino he didn't like. He was happy to share his winnings by picking up the tab at family dinners.

Herb Jackson is survived by his daughters, Gail (Larry) Roberts of Lapwai and Jackie (Alan) Thompson of Lewiston; daughter-in-law Jennifer Gibbs; sons Louie Jackson of Fort Belknap, Mont., and Donny "Spanky" Gibbs (Kelly Brooks) of Atlanta; brother Sam Pablo (Delores) Jackson; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lynda Taylor Jackson; son Larry Gibbs; brothers Leland, Enoch and Charles Jackson Sr.; sisters Veda Blackeagle, Janice Oatman and Ethel Suebert; and nieces Angel McCormack and Andra Suebert.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Kamiah. A dinner will follow at Wa A Yas Community Center in Kamiah.