Tom Jackson, 52, of Beaumont died Sunday, March 27, 2005 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. A fifth generation Texan and lifelong resident of Beaumont, Tom was the General Manager of the Jefferson County Waterway and Navigation District. Tom was a graduate of Forest Park High School and went on to graduate from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. While attending Lamar, he was a member of Lamar University’s debate team. Upon graduation, Tom began a career of farming and ranching including managing a 1000-acre rice, soybeans, and cattle operation.
In 1982, Tom served as President of the Board of the Meeker Municipal Water District, where he secured easements, contracts, and FHA loan financing to establish the water district. Also in 1982, Tom was the President of the Board of the Jefferson County Independent Cattleman’s Association. In 1986, Tom served as a member of the Board of Directors of Beaumont Production Credit Association, a lending institution for Southeast Texas farmers and ranchers. In 1988, he was instrumental in effecting the merger transaction of the Beaumont association with the East Texas association thereby protecting the value of stock held by area farmers. From 1991-1995, Tom served as the Legislative Affairs representative for the Farm Credit Administration, 10th Farm District. In 1992, he was selected as one of five rice producers nationwide to participate in the USA Rice Council Leadership Program. In 1992, Tom also served two terms as President of the Sallie Curtis Elementary School PTA, and went on to serve as the President of the Beaumont Metropolitan Area Council of PTAs. In 1994, Tom served as a key member of the Citizens United for Academic Excellence (CUAC), a committee responsible for securing a 60 million dollar bond issue and neighborhood schools for BISD. In 1992, Tom was a candidate for County Commissioner Precinct 1, and in 1994 was a candidate for Mayor of Beaumont.
Tom was perhaps best known in the community for the many hours he devoted to working with young people. He was a coach for Little Dribblers Basketball League, Board of Directors of West-End Little League Baseball, and President of Amelia-West End Senior League Baseball. His greatest joy was coaching his sons’ baseball teams during the summer and to this day reminisces about his Cinderella team that went undefeated locally and went on to “beat that Tyler County bunch”.
Currently, Tom serves as Chairman of the Sabine Neches Waterway Safety Advisory Council and on a number of key United States Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waterway committees. He most recently has led efforts to promote Navigational Improvements of the Sabine Neches Waterway by working with community, government and regulatory leaders to develop this regional economic development project.
Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church 1350 North 23rd Street in Beaumont, with burial to follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday evening from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Broussard’s Mortuary 1605 North Major Drive in Beaumont.
Survivors include his three children, Tommy Jackson, a student at Rice University, and Kit Jackson, a senior at West Brook Senior High School, and Thea Jackson, a freshman at West Brook Senior High School, and his wife of 21 years, Kathleen Jackson. He is also survived by his mother Marta Sue Stagg of Beaumont, niece Krin Jones Villacres with husband Ruben and son Ian, and twin sister Susan Myers with her husband John Myers and children John Dugan and Megan. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Edgar Jackson Sr., his stepfather, J. Howard Stagg, and his sister Margaret Jackson Jones.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lamar University, P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710.
