Eddie Jackson

Obituary For Eddie Jackson

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Eddie Jackson.

On behalf of the staff and management of Strong & Jones Funeral Home, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Eddie Jackson.

Eddie Jackson, 86, quietly stopped breathing while sleeping on Monday, June 3, shortly after 2:00 p.m. with his wife of almost 55 years and daughter by his side. Born in Orlando, he was the second of six children, graduate of Jones High School, Orlando; Gibbs Junior College, St. Petersburg; Florida A&M University (B.S.) and University of Florida (M.S.).

He served a three-year term in the U. S. Army and was honorably discharged.

He was an avid reader and prolific writer—skills he used as editor of the Gibbs Junior College Newspaper, editor of a FAMU Yearbook, sports information director and public relations guru at FAMU. He often wrote articles that appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat and during the late 1960s, covered FAMU football for the Tallahassee Democrat, Orlando Sentinel, St. Petersburg Times, and other out-of-town newspapers. In 2009, he published “Coaching Against The Wind” a 252-page book on the National Championship Seasons of the Florida A&M University Rattlers featuring football Coaches William Bell, Alonzo “Jake” Gaither, Rudy Hubbard, and William “Billy” Joe. He was also writing a book on the Tuskegee Airmen.

He served in many capacities at FAMU: Assistant Director of Veteran Affairs, Director of Career Counseling and Placement, and Director of Public Relations, before retiring in 2002 as Vice President for University Relations.

In 2009, when FAMU’s new head football coach Joe Taylor was hired and the football conditions left much to be desired, Eddie wanted to assist in improving the situation; so he asked some friends, retirees, and some local avid Rattler fans to join him in paying $20 each week of the 11-week football season for lunch with $10 paying for lunch at Old Times Country Buffet and the other $10 put aside to give $500 each week to the football program. Thus, the formation of the 220 Quarterback Club ($20 x 11games)! What began as a small weekly lunch group during football season has evolved into an average of 60+ (more during football season)—males and females--gathering weekly for lunch almost year round with the group not only supporting football, but other FAMU sports and programs. He was most proud of having initiated a nutrition program (providing healthy snacks) for the football team, spearheading the rental of a cooling recovery chamber for the football team during July and August practice—the first and only one at an HBCU for the past three years; and most recently launching and completing a $50,000 campaign for FAMU Women’s Sports, all in collaboration with the Rattler Boosters and Rattler F Club.

He was a member of Bethel AME Church and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Leon County Chapter of the FAMU National Alumni Association, a life member of the FAMU NAA, and subscribing life member of the Rattler Boosters, Inc. He served on the Board of Directors for the Leon County Public Library for several years.

Cherishing fond memories are: wife, Jerrlyne Allen Jackson, Ph.D.; daughter, Allesa Jackson English, PharmD, M.D.; son-in-law, Donald English, II, Ph.D.; sons: Eddie Gould (Luthenia) and Gregory Hale (Vanessa), Orlando; sister, Harriet Hall, Orlando; brothers: Warren Jackson (Deborah), Timothy Maye (Charlene), Texas; Edwin Jackson, New Jersey; grandchildren: Donald III and Jackson English, Tallahassee; Eboni, Latrece, and Nikki Gould, Orlando; and several in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, former students, colleagues, and 220 QBC members.

Funeral service will be 11 AM, Monday, June 10, at Old West Florida Enrichment Center, with interment at the National Cemetery. Service will be available via YouTube at 220 Quarterback Club.