Robert "Bob" Jackson

A man of extraordinary character, he lived a life defined by integrity and humility. He said what he meant, meant what he said and conducted himself accordingly. He did so by habitual use of a well developed moral compass.The four points on that compass were Faith, Family, Ford and Football.

Born into depression era poverty on October 1, 1931 in Nashville, TN to Edward and Sylvia Jackson, Bobby Jackson achieved academic and athletic excellence at Bellvue High School. Named one of the Most Valuable Football Players by the Interscholastic League at age 15, he went on to be named to the 1949 A-Division All City Football Team at age 18. His academic excellence was recognized when he was named the most outstanding boy in his senior class and co-valedictorian. His academic and athletic achievements led to a football scholarship at the University of the South, Sewanee, TN.

At Sewanee, he lettered in football all four years and was admitted to the S Club lettermans society. His academic and leadership awards included Phi Beta Kappa, ODK, Blue Key and Pi Gamma Mu. He was Vice President of the Order of Gownsmen and listed in The Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

At the time of his graduation in 1954, he won a Fulbright Scholarship to continue his studies in economics in the Phillipines.

Before leaving for the Phillipines, he married Jane Dunn of Nashville, TN. They had dated since July,1952 and were married on July 23,1954. They married in New York City on the then popular Bride and Groom Show, sponsored by Jergens. The video has been an enduring source of hilarity for their four children.

Upon his return to the states, he and Jane moved to Boston where he earned his MBA from the Harvard Business School. Anticipating an eventual return to Nashville, he first moved Jane to Detroit to begin his career with the Ford Motor Company. It lasted 39 years.

At Ford, he served in multiple financial management and leadership positions including the Glass Division, Engine Division, Financial Staff and International Automotive Operations. He was assistant controller for North American Automotive Operations, Fords’ largest operations unit before being named executive vice president of Ford Land Development Corporation in 1977. There, he was instrumental in the development of the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit and helped bring Formula One Racing, a TPC Golf Course,and the Ford Field football arena to the Detroit area. In 1985, he became President of Ford Land, a position he held until he retired in 1996. During this time, he served as a member of many councils and boards including both boards of the Henry Ford Health System,the Urban Land Institute, the Industrial Development Research Council and the Metropolitan Realty Corp.

His relationship and service with Pepperdine University however,provided him with the most pride, joy and satisfaction. This association came out of his life long commitment to the Church of Christ. He was a member and elder at Strathmoor and Oakland Churches of Christ in Detroit and a member of Woodmont Hills Church of Christ in Nashville. He served on the board at Michigan Christian College [later Rochester College] in Rochester, MI for thirteen years. His active involvement in the Church brought him to the attention of the leadership of Pepperdine University, Malibu,CA and in June,1986, was elected to their Board of Regents. As a Regent, he was a member of the Advancement and Public Affairs Committee, Investment Committee, Building and Grounds Committee and served as Vice Chair of the Religious Standards Committee. He was an enthusiastic supporter of Pepperdine’s annual Bible Lectures. He was deeply religious with a strong, informed and well examined faith. He was a life long devoted student of C.S.Lewis. In June,2009, he was elected to Life Regent status at Pepperdine, an honor for him that defied description.

He was profoundly and faithfully committed to his family. He and Jane travelled extensively and often to be a part of the lives of their children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jane, four children, Lee Jackson (Sharron), Lynn Walsh (Bob Brisco), Beth Anctil (Mike), and Wade Jackson as well as eleven grandchildren, Helen, Cutter and Ellee Jackson, Kyle and Morgan Walsh, Paige, Rachel and Sam Anctil, Ashling, Everett and Forrest Jackson. They will miss him terribly, but will always be grateful for his constant example of a life of accomplishment and contribution lived with modesty and humility. Truly, a man of exceptional character.

The family is grateful as well, to the doctors, nurses and caregivers of the Vanderbilt Medical Center. Thank you for your expertise, sensitivity and tenderness. It will not be forgotten.

Visitation is planned for Sunday, Nov.27th from 3pm to 8pm at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. 660 Thompson Lane. Nashville, TN 37204.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Monday, Nov.28th at 11:30 am at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home.

The family requests tributes to the Bob Jackson Memorial Fund at Pepperdine University, Family Dynamics Institute or the Bob Jackson Memorial Fund at Lipscomb University. Additional information can be found at www.caringbridge.org, Bob Jackson website.