Todd Michael Jackson

Todd Michael Jackson, age 40, of Nashville, TN, passed away on Monday, June 9, 2014 of brain cancer. Todd was at home surrounded by his wife, Emily Blake, their daughter, Allie and extended family and friends.

Todd was born in Oakland, California on April 2, 1974. As a young child, he and his older brother Scott enjoyed growing strawberries and artichokes in the backyard of the family’s home in the Berkeley Hills. In 1980, Todd’s family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where Todd attended public school. Todd played Little League baseball (until he saw his first curve ball) and exhibited grit and talent on the tennis court. Following in his father, Bob’s footsteps, Todd studied piano for several years and reprised his music hobby in recent years to the delight of EB and Allie. Todd shared a special closeness with his mother, whom he lovingly called “Babs” or “Toots,” and who indulged his imagination and strong opinions with love and poise.

Todd earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a minor in Art History from Vanderbilt University in 1996. As an undergraduate student, he studied abroad in Florence, Italy and participated in Alternative Spring Break volunteer service trips. Todd became a “Double Dore” upon graduating from the Executive MBA program at the Owen Graduate School of Management in 2008. Whenever the Commodores hit the football field, the basketball court, or the baseball field, Todd could be found in the stands decked out in black and gold, with a clap like a crack of summer thunder, and a cheer that turned heads.

Todd’s career carved a decisive arc in the direction of the greater good. After graduating from Vanderbilt, he dedicated several years to the fine arts in the mid-Atlantic, serving the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, VA; the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia, PA; and the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, MD. (While roughing it in Philadelphia on an entry-level salary, he adopted a kitten, Firenze, who remained devoted and ornery until she passed away in October of 2013.) He returned to Nashville and to Vanderbilt in a fundraising role in 2001. Todd quickly established a strategic, expansive vision for the annual giving program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and became known as a collaborator who would challenge the status quo with data-driven arguments. Over the course of his 9-year tenure, the program grew to generate more than $4.7 million philanthropic revenue dollars annually from 19,000+ patient, family, alumni & stakeholder households from across the country. Todd translated his integrative problem-solving and healthcare expertise into the management consulting field, supporting efforts to improve patient care delivery by addressing people, process and technology opportunities. His unique contribution was a laser-like focus on the core mission of each organization he served, whether in staff or consulting roles.

Todd maintained a gnawing, optimistic belief that one person could change the world, and he woke up each day trying to make that happen. He approached volunteer engagement with great intentionality and thought, supporting social justice through the Martha O’Bryan Center in East Nashville, advocating for the environment through the Tennessee Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy, and working to eradicate cancer through the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Young Ambassadors program, which he founded and co-chaired with EB. Since 2009, the Young Ambassadors have raised more than $500,000 to support basic science research at Vanderbilt-Ingram. Todd served as president of the Owen Graduate School of Management Alumni Council and was recently honored as the first recipient of the Vanderbilt University Alumni Association Board of Directors Alumni Volunteer Award.

Todd and EB were married in Wait Chapel on the campus of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on June 14, 2008. The pair shared a passion for travel across the U.S. and the globe, with favorite destinations including Italy, France, Japan, and India. From sun-soaked rambles on beaches in St. Maarten, to wind-whipped treks on Fujiyama in Japan, to rock-hopping adventures in waterfall country, Tennessee, Todd loved nothing more than being active outside. An avid runner, he competed with himself for ever-improving personal records in 5k races, right through the brain cancer that ultimately took his life. Todd and EB welcomed their daughter, Allie on February 21, 2013. Todd approached fatherhood with the same zeal and humor that were his hallmarks. He lovingly prepared a labor-and-delivery music playlist to welcome Allie into the world, and he began teaching her things before she was born, playing favorite Beatles tunes for her on the piano. Todd exuded patience, creativity and love for his Allie. He took great joy in photographing and documenting her funny faces, silly antics and developmental milestones.

Todd is survived by his wife of six years, Emily Blake (EB) Jackson and their daughter, Alice (Allie) Elaine Jackson of Nashville, TN; his parents, Robert and Barbara Jackson and his brother, Scott Jackson of Atlanta, GA; his uncles and aunts, Terry (Jacquie) Jackson of Kalamazoo, MI, Steve Jackson of Hastings, NE and Dee Jackson (Roger White) of Charleston, SC; his cousins Brad Jackson (Brenda Salisbury) of Marquette, MI, Jeff Jackson (Rhonda Mejeur) and their children Owen, Molly and Henry of Grand Rapids, MI, and Justin and Shannon Jackson of Omaha, NE and Jessica (Chad) Wagoner of Kenesaw, NE; his parents-in-law Bill and Joanne Hinman, his brother- and sister-in-law Andy and Margaret (Hinman) Mehaffey, his sister-in-law Della Hinman, and his nieces, Lucy, Calloway and Maggie Mehaffey of Winston-Salem, NC.

Todd was an authentic, generous and loving human being. His expansive intellect, indomitable spirit and caring way left indelible marks on the many lives he touched.

A service of celebration and thanksgiving will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, at Second Presbyterian Church, 3511 Belmont Boulevard, with reception to follow at the church. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 13, 4-7 p.m., in Alumni Hall on the Vanderbilt campus. Memorial gifts to support the work of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Young Ambassadors may be made at www.vicc.org/jackson

A Jackson Family Support Account has been set-up at Pinnacle Bank for those that would like to contribute.

Account Number: 5828878

Checks Payable To: Emily Blake Jackson or EB Jackson or cash

Pinnacle Bank

2300 West End Avenue

Nashville, TN 37203

Branch Manager: Lisa Use’

615-690-4006 office

615-438-8084 cell

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Eastland Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Nashville, TN.