Wayne Robert Jackson

Wayne Robert Jackson, longtime resident of Wilmington, NC, passed away at the age of 96 on May 29, 2023 at the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice Center.  He was born in Hinsdale, Illinois on July 3, 1926.  Wayne is preceded in death by his beloved wife Bessie Leona (Lee) Jackson and sister Jeanette Morgan.

Wayne is best known professionally as a pioneer of early television, beginning 35 years of service with WECT-TV in 1954.  He loved to tell stories of the days when television was brand new, and how that challenge was met by never saying “that can’t be done… it’s never been done before”.  If it seemed like a good idea, WMFD-TV, later to be given the call letters WECT, tried it… usually with great success, but learning from the few failures that were encountered.  Wayne’s first media job was at a radio station in Rocky Mount, NC.  During his stay there he contributed a regular sports column to the local newspaper.  He later accepted an offer to do television in Wilmington, not knowing what to expect, but eager to  begin the journey.

After doing everything from sports, news, weather, talk shows, and station manager, Wayne retired from WECT in 1989.  He loved WECT and the people who worked there.  And he cherished the opportunity that WECT provided for him to serve his community.  After leaving television Wayne did not slow down, landing two new jobs just days after retirement.  He worked for about 10 years for the local U.S. Congressman, and began a nearly 14 year stint doing color commentary for the radio broadcasts of UNCW Men’s basketball games.  For awhile he also did the broadcast of the UNCW Women’s basketball games over the internet.  Wayne's love of UNCW began many years before this.  He was a founding board member of the UNCW Student Aid Association, now commonly known as the Seahawk Club.  He was heavily involved in the university’s Adult Scholars Leadership Program and other activities.  His decades-long association with UNCW was a great source of love and satisfaction, and he received multiple honors from the university in appreciation of his work with the university and within the community.

Wayne's involvement in community activities was a shining example of his giving spirit. And over the years many groups have recognized and honored this spirit.  Among some of the awards that had special meaning for him include being inducted into the inaugural class of the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame.  He received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the UNCW Alumni Association, the Celebrate Wilmington! Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts, the Wilmington StarNews Lifetime Achievement Award, an award from the Williston High School for his pioneering spirit, and The Order of the Long Leaf Pine (conferred by the Governor of North Carolina for exemplary service).  One of the  more unusual recognitions he received was a certificate from the State of North Carolina declaring him “an Admiral in the North Carolina Navy”, signed by the governor, given to those who contributed a certain amount to save the USS North Carolina Battleship from being scrapped.

His outgoing personality and curiosity lead to an impressive list of people he interviewed during his broadcasting career.  Sports figures such as Jackie Robinson, Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Bobby Knight, Mickey Mantle, Sonny Jurgensen, Roman Gabriel, Joe DiMaggio, Althea Gibson, Red Grange, and boxing great Joe Louis were among those interviewed.  Among others interviewed of national fame were Ronald Reagan, Al Gore and Oprah Winfrey.  But Wayne took special joy in talking to local people, who he considered to be his most important interviews.  He loved Wilmington and the surrounding area.  He was known to be fair and impartial on camera.  A notable example of this surfaced as his retirement from WECT drew near.  The U.S. Congressman representing this district at the time asked Wayne to go to work for him.  At the same time, two well known officials from the other political party tried to recruit Wayne to run against that Congressman.  Both parties assumed, based on his interviews and telecasts, that Wayne was a member of their party!  He demonstrated “fair and impartial” at its finest.

If Wayne had any professional regrets, none would have been bigger than not fulfilling his dream of being the Chicago Cubs play-by-play announcer.  Wayne was famous for his love of the Cubs, and he passed that love down to his sons.  One of his greatest joys was meeting his sports hero, Ernie Banks (Mr. Cub), and sitting and talking with him in the dugout before a Cubs-Braves game.

Wayne is survived by a daughter, Margaret “Jackie” Jackson of Santa Rosa, CA, two sons, Michael (wife Glenda) of Leland, NC and Stephen (wife Tambra) of Wilmington, NC, grandsons Brant Dierke (wife Catrina), Chris Jackson, and Taylor Jackson, great grandchildren Camryn, Alec, and Ethan Dierke, and special niece Martha Kern (husband Chuck) of Naperville, IL.  Any donations in his memory can be sent to the UNCW Seahawk Club and/or Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.

Visitation will be at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel on Saturday June 3rd from 1pm till 3pm.  A private burial will follow.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com