Coach James W "Jim Jackson

Coach James W. “Jim” Jackson, of Jonesboro, died Sunday, November 6, 2011, at St. Bernard’s Medical Center. A native of Corinth, Mississippi, he was a long-time resident of Jonesboro and was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy.

Coach was survived by his daughter, Ouida Hardin and her husband Larry of Jonesboro; two grandchildren, Alison Puryear of Destin, Florida; Matt Puryear and wife Donna of Jonesboro; two great grandchildren, Jackson and Joseph.

Mr. Jackson served his country in WWII in the U.S. Army Air Corp as a cadet, pilot and Army gunner. He flew B24 bomber and piper cubs. He served as a cadet with Squadron 4, 98th C. T. D. After the war, he returned to complete his education at Pearl River Junior College, followed by bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Mississippi where he was a guard for the Ole Miss Rebel football team. He began his teaching career at Ripley High School in 1950 in Ripley, Mississippi as Head Football Coach and a teacher. In 1955 he became Head Football Coach and a teacher at Okolona High School in Okolona, Mississippi followed by three years at Northwest Junior College in Senatobia, Mississippi as Head Football Coach and instructor.

Coach Jackson moved to Jonesboro in 1959 and was an offensive line coach and the first full-time Freshman Football Coach for the Arkansas State Indians under Hugh “Bones” Taylor. He was an assistant football coach, Intramural Director, Professor of Physical Education and director of the Driver’s Education and Associate Director of Field Services at ASU until his retirement in 1986.

In 2006, Coach Jackson was honored at Ripley High School in Ripley, Mississippi for coaching one of the few undefeated football teams in the school’s history and received a proclamation from the Governor of Mississippi for his outstanding service to the State of Mississippi.

Mr. Jackson was a member of First United Methodist Church, Catfish Club, ASU Red Wolves Club, Ole Miss Alumni Association and Jonesboro Noon Rotary Club where he was Sergeant at Arms, recognized by his peers as a Paul Harris Fellow and attained a perfect attendance record in Rotary for 52 years.

Visitation will be from 5-7 Tuesday at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Sanctuary at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 with Reverend John Miles officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will be private. Bill Garner, Jr., Dr. Matt Garner, Dr. John Hall, Bobby Hogue, Preston Cheatham, Gene Wing, Dr. Harold Copenhaver and Matt Puryear are listed as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are the Jonesboro Rotary Clubs, former athletes and students, the Carousel and Kool Kuts staff, Trial Court Assistants for Circuit Judges: Landie Garner, Susan Garner, Jackie Pardew, Tony Pardew, Dr. Ray Hall Jr., David Ferguson, Dr. Clark Elkins, Steve Baker, Dewey Sifford, Lynn Bayless, Dr. Bob Warner and Thom Beasley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you please consider donations to Fort Rotary Centennial Project, PO Box 654, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72403; City Youth Ministries, PO Box 627, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401; ASU Red Wolves Club, PO Box 2219, State University, Arkansas 72467; or a charity of donor’s choice.