Travis Edward Jackson

Dr Travis Edward Jackson passed away peacefully at home June 24,2021 at the age of 87. He was born April 29, 1934, in Suffern to Benjamin and Susie Hatter Jackson. He was a lifelong resident of Rockland County except for the two years he served in the army, 16 months of which were in Korea and 3 years in Chicago as an assistant professor at Northeastern Illinois University.

Dr. Jackson married his loving wife of nearly 55 years, Deborah Spencer on July 8, 1966. Travis was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was a kind, caring, silly yet steady presence for so many.

Dr. Jackson is a 1952 graduate of Suffern High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from SUNY Cortland, his master’s degree from NYU and his doctorate at UMASS Amherst. He was an educator and spent almost his entire career with junior high/ middle school students at Suffern Junior High and Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Ridgewood, NJ. He is a published author of children’s stories, professional articles, brief historical accounts, and some poetry. He is a member of the Suffern High School Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Rockland County Track and Field Hall of Fame. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus of SUNY Cortland in 1992. He received the Ashby Award, the highest award that a Ridgewood teacher or administrator can receive. In 2004 he was inducted into the Rockland County Civil Rights Hall of Fame. In 2006 he was named Suffern High School Alumnus of the Year. He has been an active member and lay leader of the Suffern United Methodist Church for many years.

Travis is survived by his loving wife Deborah; his children: Travis W. Jackson (Marisol) and his daughter Susan Delaney (Bill) as well as his 5 grandchildren, Juliana and Kayla Jackson and Travis, Jackson and Grace Delaney.

He was predeceased by his sister, Leona May Ruffin and her husband Paul and his brother Dr. Benjamin Jackson.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Sloatsburg Food Pantry.