Edward McCulloch Jackson

After a long and successful life, the Honorable Edward (Ed) M. Jackson left this world to join the love of his life, Mary Sue Poole Jackson, in heaven. He was a strong Christian and knew that he would be with his Lord, Jesus Christ. Ed was the only surviving son of the late James Juitte Jackson and Mary Florence Thornton Jackson. He lived most of his life in Merritt Island, Florida. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cocoa where he taught Sunday school for many years as well as serving for thirteen years as the Church’s business mediator/lay leader. He and Mary Sue were also founding members of the Island Community Church in Merritt Island.

Ed is survived by his three children: Dr. Thomas Oliver Jackson and wife Kathy of College Station, Texas; John Thornton Jackson of Merritt Island; Susan Elizabeth Jackson Malin also of Merritt Island; seven grandchildren: Brian Edward Malin, Jr. and wife Kristen of South Carolina, Shannon Marie Malin and Garren Clemmon Malin of Merritt Island; Jonathan Edward Jackson, Benjamin Thomas Jackson and Matthew Oliver Jackson of College Station, Texas, and Christopher Brian Sellers and wife Kim of Jacksonville, Florida; three great-grandchildren: Joshua Edward Malin of South Carolina, and Landon and Cayden Sellers of Jacksonville, Florida; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and three surviving sisters-in-law: Anne Jackson, Marcene Jackson and Pat Poole. He spent his last few years at La Casa Residential Facility in Merritt Island where he was lovingly cared for by many including a dear family friend, Carol Everett.

Ed graduated from Cocoa High School in 1947, where he was the senior class president and a member of the baseball and football teams. He then attended the University of Florida where he was a member of the varsity baseball team. He later played professional baseball for the Cocoa Indians, a semi-pro team, and the New York Giants’ minor league club in Sanford. In 1952, he joined the Army and went to Officer Candidate School. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and the U.N. Service Medal.

In December of 1952, Ed married his high school sweetheart, Mary Sue Poole, of Cocoa, Florida, whom he lost in 1995. He remained devoted to her for the rest of his life. They spent many happy days on the waters around Merritt Island and elsewhere in Florida on their boat, the “Mary J.”

After the Korean War, Ed returned to the University of Florida and graduated with a business (BSBA) degree with Honors in 1955 and then graduated with a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree with Honors (5th in his class) in 1958. In 1967, his LLB degree was converted to a Juris Doctor (JD) with Honors.

Upon graduation Ed went to work for Maguire Voorhees and Wells in Orlando Florida. This firm later became part of Holland & Knight, one of the largest law firms in Florida and the U.S. After Maguire Voorhees and Wells, he joined his father in private practice at “Jackson and Jackson” in Cocoa Village. While there, Ed was the attorney for the Canaveral Port Authority and also represented Mr. Gilbert Tucker of Cocoa and other Florida cattlemen. He successfully argued many important cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and other high courts during his career. In 1983, he was elected Judge of the 18th Florida Circuit Court. He served until 1998 when he retired. He was held in high regard as an esteemed jurist, fair judge and honorable man in his dealings with all concerned during his time on the bench.

Among his numerous awards and memberships are Kappa Sigma Fraternity (1948); Association of Professional Ball Players; Beta Gamma Sigma (1956); University of Florida Law Review; American Legion; American Bar Association; Rotary Club International; Deacon of First Baptist Church of Cocoa; Merritt Island High Mustang Quarterback Club President; and Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Ed will be remembered in a celebration of his life at the First Baptist Church of Cocoa at 10 am on Friday September 6th, 2013

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Memorial contributions may be given to First Baptist Church of Cocoa.