T. J. Jackson Jr.

I was born on June 28, 1922, in Austin, Tx (Travis County) to the family of T. J. Jackson, Sr. and Naomi Mae Smith Jackson. To this union were born six children - five boys and one girl - whom all have preceded me in death. I was united in holy matrimony to Ollie Mae Clewis in Elkhart, Tx. We both were teachers in the La Marque Independent School District until our retirement. We were both members of Greater Bell Zion Baptist Church. While at Bell Zion Church, I served as a Deacon, Chairman of Trustees, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Chairman of Finance and the Church Purchasing Agent. I also taught classes in Sunday, B. T. U. and N. B. C. and also conducted Bible School. I served three years in the Air Force during World War II. I was stationed in the European Theatre of Operations with the 9th Air Force in the 459th Signal Corps. My military duties in Europe carried me through England, France, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany, Scotland and Wales. After World War II, I returned to the United States and received my honorable discharge. I enrolled in Tillotson College studying Health and Physical Education and played football, basketball and softball. I graduated from Tillotson College with a BS degree. I later attended Texas Southern University where I received a Master's degree in Public School Administration. While working in La Marque, I served as principal of Woodland Elementary School, and was head coach and principal of Lincoln High School. I transferred from Lincoln High School to Administration Building No. 2 where I served as Director of Audio Visual Aids and Closed Circuit Television until I retired in 1982 after a successful triple by-pass surgery by Dr. Denton Cooley. I was a 50+ year member of La Marque Masonic Lodge #373 F&AM - Prince Hall Affliliation. As I leave planet Earth, I leave my legacy in the hearts of my many nieces, nephews, cousins, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and many other family members, godchildren, co-workers, students, and friends. Please remember, if I helped somebody as I passed along this Christian journey, then my living was not in vain.