TCC College Board member James R. Jackson dies

Dr. Jackson was appointed to the College Board by Chesapeake City Council and served on the Curriculum and Student Development committees. 

He was a native of South Hampton Roads whose extensive work as an educator included service to school districts and military installations throughout the region.

Dr. Jackson received his bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University, his master’s in teaching from Indiana University, and his doctorate in education from Virginia Tech. He completed additional postgraduate study at Austin Peay State and Old Dominion universities.

After six years of service in the U.S. Army, Dr. Jackson began his teaching career in the Chesapeake Public Schools. He then taught in the Norfolk Public Schools before becoming an assistant principal and later, a principal in the Suffolk Public Schools.

Dr. Jackson shared his instructional gifts with Army and Navy personnel while a senior educational specialist at Fort Lee and the Norfolk Naval Station. He also taught for many years in the Department of Vocational Education Services at Southern Illinois University.

Among the more recent examples of his robust service to the community — in addition to his work with TCC — were his service as vice president of the New Chesapeake Men for Progress Education Foundation and as vice president of the Community Presbyterian Men’s Association.

The TCC College Board began its meeting Nov. 17 with a moment of silence to honor Dr. Jackson.

“We will miss him,” said John D. Padgett, chair of the TCC College Board. “He was an educator at heart and he loved TCC.”

Dr. Jackson is survived by his wife, Patricia; sons James R. Jackson Jr. and Brian K. Jackson; daughter Dr. Angela P. Jackson; two grandchildren; three brothers; two sisters, and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday, Nov. 20, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Metropolitan Funeral Service Portsmouth Chapel, 5605 Portsmouth Blvd.

The funeral will be Saturday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. in the chapel. Interment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens on Airline Boulevard in Chesapeake.

Condolences may be offered on the Metropolitan Funeral Service website.