Owanyilla Brangus breeder Ryan Jackson mourned

A much loved Fraser Coast cattleman has been remembered as someone who was devoted to his work on the farm and to his extended family.

Beloved Owanyilla grazier Ryan Jackson died last month, sparking an outpouring of tributes from those who loved him.

A much-loved Fraser Coast brangus breeder who died in his sleep last month was mourned at a moving service in Maryborough on Thursday afternoon.

Ryan Jackson, 46, from Stuzview Brangus Stud at Owanyilla, died unexpectedly on January 25, 2025, his loving sister Danielle Hynes said.

His funeral was held at Life Church in Maryborough West on Thursday.

Mr Jackson was from a family of graziers and while he worked in a variety of other jobs over the years, it was the land and home that he kept returning to.

He had a passion for the cattle industry and a keen eye for traits in brangus cattle that made the family business a success.

Born to Dan and Lola Jackson, it wasn’t long before he was working alongside his family on their property.

As a child Mr Jackson learnt how to milk dairy cows, feed pigs, drive machinery, plant watermelons and muster cattle on horseback.

It was while working on the farm that he developed his legendary work ethic, getting up to the odd bit of mischief with his cousins.

There were stories of them rodeo riding on sheep and pigs, taking the horses into dams to jump off their backs, lobbying, shooting and jumping from the window of the high blocked farmhouse onto the trampoline below, then running back up the stairs and doing it over and over again.

Beloved Owanyilla grazier Ryan Jackson died in January, sparking an outpouring of tributes from those who loved him. He is pictured here with his father.

At 14, Mr Jackson left school and started work as a removalist before later working at Hyne Timber in the pole yard, where memories and lifelong friends were made.

After the pole yard was sold to the state government, he found work on mine sites constructing power lines.

But after 15 years working away, the pull to come home was too strong and he returned to help run the property.

He had a passion for improving the grasses and soil at the property, filling the paddocks with rhodes and signal grass, humidicola and wynn cassia swaying in the breeze.

Owanyilla grazier Ryan Jackson died last month, sparking an outpouring of tributes from those who loved him.

For that reason, bunches of grass formed part of Mr Jackson’s floral arrangements at his funeral service.

The stud gained considerable recognition under his watch, including topping the Brangus Rockhampton heifer sale last year where their heifer, Stutzview Unforgettable, sold for $22,000.

In 2021, the family suffered a sad loss when mum Lola died aged 71. It was a loss that impacted the whole family.

While he never married or had children, Mr Jackson was a beloved uncle, and his nieces and nephews paid tribute to him at the service on Thursday.

He also loved his dogs, who were by his side every single day.

Mr Jackson was remembered as a clever man, whose intelligence assisted in how he developed managed and built his brangus program.

Lola Jackson was a much loved wife and mother and a lifelong grazier.

In Mr Jackson’s eulogy, it was remembered that while he loved his family, it was hard to think of a time he ever said those words.

“He didn’t need to use words; he proved it by his actions towards us,” his eulogy read.

“He was selfless and always put himself second.

“He was generous and always made sure his family were secure and safe.

“He was an inspiration and a hero to us, especially his nieces and nephews and now to the next generation, their children.

“He was a trickster and loved to tease them.”

Mr Jackson taught his nieces and nephews about farm safety, how to grow good grass and get the cows fat, his eulogy read.

He gave them rides on tractors, excavators and bobcats.

He would teach them about farm safety and tell them stories about goompers in dams; how good seeds grow good grass and then the cows get fat.

Alongside his dad, Mr Jackson had picked out the brangus bulls from the Stuzview stud that will be sold in the upcoming February All Breeds Sale in Rockhampton, an event he was greatly looking forward to.

A montage of photos paying tribute to Mr Jackson’s life was shown to those gathered to conclude the service.

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Originally published as Owanyilla Brangus breeder Ryan Jackson mourned