Jack W. Robertson Jr.

A funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 1390 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39202, on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 12:00 noon. Visitation will begin at 10:30 am.

“Bouncer,” as all his friends affectionately called him, was born on August 17, 1929, to John W. Robertson, Sr. and Bess Kincannon Robertson. He was born in Tupelo, MS but spent most of his life in Jackson. In 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Gwenette Phillips; they were married for 62 years before her death in October of 2014. They were an amazing couple whose gifts perfectly complemented one another. They had five children.

He attended Central High School in Jackson but ultimately graduated from Raymond Agricultural High School (currently Hinds Community College). While he was boarding at Raymond Agricultural High School and just a senior in high school, he lettered in two junior college sports: boxing and tennis. That same year, he also lettered in 3 high school sports: basketball, track and baseball. He won the South Mississippi Mile in track and was also State Golden Gloves Champion. Also in his senior year, he was voted Most Popular and Most Versatile.

He then attended and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1953 with a BBA degree in Insurance. While at Ole Miss, he was a member of the track team.

Bouncer was an avid Ole Miss Rebel. He supported his University financially and in every other way imaginable. He was a long time season ticket holder and very seldom missed an opportunity to be in Oxford. He loved the fact that his dear friend, Coach Johnny Vaught, remembered him fondly in his book. In 1995, he and Gwenette established the Chair of Insurance at Ole Miss and are honored that it is called “The Jack W. and Gwenette P. Robertson Chair of Insurance.” He is a lifetime member of both the Ole Miss M-Club and the Ole Miss Alumni Association. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Ole Miss Alumni Association as well as President of the Central Mississippi Ole Miss Alumni Association. He has also served several terms on the Board of the Ole Miss Alumni Association. Other committees on which he has served are: the Business Advisory Council, the Insurance Advisory Council, and the Athletic Committee. One of the organizations he has enjoyed most is The Fins Up Club.

Upon graduation, he embarked upon a career in the insurance industry that spanned seven decades. In 1970, he founded Gulf Guaranty Life Insurance Company. Subsequently, he also founded Gulf Guaranty Insurance Company, Gulf Guaranty Employee Benefit Services and Gulfpak Insurance Company. He served as President, Chairman of the Board and/or CEO of each of these companies for the bulk of their existence.

In 1993, at its’ inception, he was asked to serve on the Board of the Mississippi Judicial Advisory Study Committee. This committee was founded to improve the judicial system in Mississippi and he was actively involved in that endeavor until 2005.

He loved his Country Club of Jackson and felt as at home there as he did in his own house. It gave him great pleasure to host his large family there and particularly enjoyed that four generations were in attendance. He not only loved the members but the employees as well; they were like family. He enjoyed his time of service on the Board of CCJ.

Bouncer never met a stranger and never forgot a name. He loved people and he loved to tell stories that made people laugh; but he also liked to listen as other people shared their own stories. He was genuinely interested in others and never rushed or seemed preoccupied while listening.

He was incredibly generous. Christmas at the Robertson home rivaled the North Pole and “Gran Gran” put Santa Claus to shame. He was not only generous to his family but to others as well. No one, except perhaps his beautiful bride, Gwenette, had a clue just how generous. She told the story of how they were out to dinner one night and before the meal was over, he had committed to give the waitress a scholarship to Holmes Community College after hearing the financial challenges she was facing. He would literally give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it.

He recognized the importance of young people receiving a college education which inspired him to set up a program at Gulf Guaranty to provide four year scholarships for all the children and grandchildren of Gulf Guaranty employees so they could attend the college of their choice.

He also supported African Bible Colleges. This ministry was particularly near and dear to his heart because it was formed by his sister, Nell, and her late husband, Jack Chinchen, and he supported it generously. In appreciation of his long-term giving, they named the sports facility on their Uganda Campus the “Jack and Gwenette Robertson Sports Complex.”

As a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church, he and Gwenette were thrilled to be able to donate the funds to refurbish the sanctuary organ. They also had the pleasure of helping FPC, Jackson, plant the satellite PCA church in Ridgeland, Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church, where they were founding members. They remained members there until it was well established and then transferred their membership back to FPC, Jackson, where they remained members until their death. He was also one of the original founders and financial backers of Twin Lakes Camp.

Bouncer was preceded in death by his wife, Gwenette Phillips Robertson; his brother, Vann Kincannon Robertson; and his son, John W. Robertson, III.

He leaves behind:

Three siblings: Nell Chinchen; Palmer Robertson (Joanna); Taylor Robertson.

Four children: Bess Corbitt (Steve); Jim Robertson, Marie Rickels (Jeff); Dicky Robertson (Lea Ann).

Thirteen grandchildren: Brook Robertson (Christy); Nathan Robertson; Arthur Corbitt (Sara); Nancy MacNeill (Greg); Richard Robertson (Sarah); Gwenette Quinn (Lucas); Niki Muha (Ben); Erin Pavatte (Mason); Margaret Ryan (Nolan); Jeffrey Rickels; William Robertson; JoJo Robertson (Ashley); Serena Robertson.

Twenty-three great grandchildren and a myriad of nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank:

• His “Honey”, Allen Cunningham, who loved him well and put the “pep back in his step” after Gwenette’s passing.

• Long time household employees and caregivers, Sandra Marshall, Charles Funchess, Pete Galloway and Tammie Hayes. I don’t know what we would have done without each and every one of you.

• Our Gulf Guaranty Family-the employees, the agents, the shareholders and the Board members. You ALL were the “wind beneath his wings.”

• The plethora of friends, young and old, who loved our daddy and stood faithfully beside him through thick and thin. There are too many of you to name but you know who you are!

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to:

African Bible Colleges P.O. Box 103, Clinton MS 39060

The Jack W. and Gwenette P. Robertson Chair of Insurance at The University of Mississippi 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655

First Presbyterian Church 1390 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39202