Colonel Thomas Cecil Jackson

Time to come home dear brother. Your tour of duty through. You’ve given as much as anyone. Could be expected to do. Just a few steps further. The smoke will start to clear. Others here will guide you. You have no need of fear

-Robert Longley-

Our darling, precious, Tom, passed peacefully on October 14, 2021. In true Tom fashion, he passed on the day between his two youngest grandchildren’s’ birthdays.

Thomas Cecil Jackson was born September 8, 1935 in Terra Alta, West Virginia. Tom’s mother, Bernice Larue Jackson, moved with Tom and his sister Roseanne to Akron, Ohio where Tom attended elementary, high school and ultimately graduated from the University of Akron in 1959. Upon graduation he commissioned as an officer in the regular US Army. Tom worked many jobs throughout his schooling, including jobs at all three Akron tire plants.

While on active duty, Tom received a Master of Education at Incarnate Word College (where he was later on the Board); received a Master Of Healthcare Administration from Baylor University; attended the Armed Forces Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.

Tom met Patricia Lou Evans (Patti) at the University of Akron. They married in 1958 and began their life long military adventure. Some of their more memorable assignments were as aide to the US Army Surgeon General, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Hanau, Germany.

Tom was an Aero Medical Evacuation Helicopter pilot and flew in Vietnam, Korea and the continental United States. He was one of the last remaining members of the Solo Pilots Association of helicopter aviation pioneers. He was also a member of the Dustoff Association.

After 26 years of active duty, Tom retired from the US Army as a colonel and began a successful ten-year career in the private healthcare sector in Houston and in San Antonio, Texas.

Tom was heavily involved in many civic activities throughout his life. Beginning with his high school class presidency, Tom was also involved with Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, Rotary, Kiwanis, the Army Medical Museum at Ft. Sam Houston, and was a 60-year Master Mason.

Tom and Patti regularly visited family in Virginia and in Texas to support their children and grandchildren in as many of their life events as possible. They also spent many years living part time in the mountains of Angel Fire, New Mexico that Tom loved so very much.

This last decade, Tom and Patti have delighted in living independently at the Army Residence Community in San Antonio, Texas enjoying old and new friends alike.

All of us agree that Tom absolutely loved people of every background and lifestyle. New experiences and endeavors were never taken lightly. Although our hearts are broken, we all rest assured knowing he lived his life with love, grace and always to the fullest extent imaginable. Rest in Peace, our dear Tom.

Tom is survived by his wife Patti Jackson, son Jay (Stacie) Jackson, daughter Tracy (Steve) Wehmeyer, daughter Britt (Jim) Kelley. Grandchildren: MaryAnn Jackson, Jackson (Mackenna) Wehmeyer, Sam (Whitney) Wehmeyer, Mary Pat Wehmeyer (and fiancé Heath Roberts), Max Kelley and Cole Kelley. He leaves behind his sister Terry Schenkenberger and brother Gary Hartman and many cherished nieces and nephews.

A private internment will be held at Fort Sam Houston, Texas National Cemetery with a Celebration of Life to occur at the Army Residence Community in December.

Fond remembrances and information may be found at Dignitymemorial.com

For those who wish, donations may be made to the Army Medical Museum at Fort Sam Houston in

Memorial to Colonel Thomas Jackson

Ameddmuseumfoundation.org

Or mailed to:

AMEDD Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 8294

San Antonio, Texas 78208

(210) 808-6452

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialuniversal.com for the Jackson family.