Douglas Roy Jackson

Douglas Roy Jackson was known within the aviation industry as "Hollywood" for his more than 700 airshow performances over 20 years with his replica Japanese Zero "Tora 101". It takes a big man to willingly portray being shot down before the public throughout the United States. Doug was born Waukegan, Illinois, September 16, 1955, and was raised in North Hollywood, California. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Robert "Bob" Jackson and Marilyn "Mouse" Jackson. He worked his way through college in various jobs including flipping burgers graduating from UCLA, with a Bachelor's and went on to receive a Master's from Pepperdine University. His father was a well known aviator and flight instructor on the West Coast and so Doug came by his love of flying naturally. His father not only taught him to fly but helped him earn his advance ratings. But perhaps most important in Doug's development was his opportunity to meet many famous aviators, dignitaries and celebrities through his father's aviation activities. Doug was a "people person" and recognized early that his dream would be to use aviation in his business dealings rather than to act as a pilot for a career. In pursuit of that aviation career Doug moved to Wichita, Kansas in the early 1980's taking a position as an Assistant Sales Support Administrator for the Citation Marketing Division of Cessna Aircraft Company. He spent several years providing the Citation business jet division's sales executives with the presentations and answers they needed to meet prospective customer's needs. In 1984 Doug had the crazy idea that he could sell airplanes. Since Cessna didn't see his potential Doug pursued and was able to secure a position with an aviation company in New York. But once there he somehow knew that the Wichita presented better opportunities for him. Resigning his position in New York, Doug proposed a bold scheme to sell a fleet of former Emery Air Freight aircraft in a relatively brief time for the local Emery contractor, Ryan Aviation services. He won the position of starting an aviation sales operation from the ground up, was successful in meeting the proposed goals, and went on to make aircraft sales a valuable part of that company's operation. When Ryan Aviation was sold to PHH Corporation in New York, Doug and his employees were offered limited opportunities with the buyer's already existing sales force. He decided to strike out on his own instead. And he remained active and successful in aircraft sales until cancer forced him into the hospital in mid-April. Doug is survived by his wife of just three years, Sherry Lynn Jackson, and had grown to consider Sherry's kids and grandkids like his own: Son, Joshua Sheppard and wife, Amy; daughter, Kate Sheppard and seven grandchildren. He many times mentioned to close friends that he marveled that so late in life, after being a confirmed bachelor for more than 55 years, he found a woman who he so completely loved, and who made him an instant dad and granddad. He also leaves behind thousands of friends across North America and abroad.