Robert Rhodes Platt

Robert Rhodes Platt of Jackson, TN was born on January 22, 1983 to William Rhodes and Jenny Platt and passed away of natural causes in his sleep on the morning of April 3, 2023. Raised in Selmer, TN, he attended McNairy Central High School where he was a true “student athlete”. Rob was a student government officer, baseball player, and football player all while being in the top 10 of his class, a chosen member of their Hall of Fame, and was named Mr. MCHS 2001.

After graduating from MCHS, he attended University of Memphis and was Vice President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He later went on to get his Master’s in Education and was pursuing his PhD.

Rob’s passion for learning, sports, and literature shaped his career. He pursued teaching and coaching at MCHS and Smyrna High School before spending his last 12 years at the University School of Jackson (USJ). He helped coach football and baseball at USJ for many years, but his real passion was teaching and building relationships with his students.

Rob married the love of his life, Jessica Ramer Platt, on March 14, 2015. They raised two beautiful children together, Noah (11) and Etta Jane (6). Not only was Rob okay with Jessica’s love for animal rescue, he was just as passionate about loving the once unloved. Rob was a member of Jackson First United Methodist Church, where his favorite act of service was being an usher.

Rob’s favorite pastimes were music, movies, grilling, a good ballgame, and reading. He loved teaching his students the great southern authors like Twain, Faulkner, and Williams and often incorporated his love for music (and Bob Ross) in his lessons. He attended countless music festivals and concerts and loved every kind of music from British rock to bluegrass.

Rob had a fantastic way of connecting with people and seemed to find commonality with everyone he met. He had a large circle of friends that were like the brothers he never had. He had a tender heart and put all the ladies in his life (Nana, Grandmother, Mama, aunts, his sisters, his wife and mother-in-law, and his daughter) on a pedestal. That caring spirit drove him to volunteer many summers at Camp Joy, a camp for adults with special needs at Lakeshore Camp and Retreat Center.

Rob is survived by his wife Jessica; children Noah and Etta Jane; parents Rhodes and Jenny Platt (Selmer, TN); mother-in-law Jane Ramer; sister Rachel Platt Eyres and husband Jonathan (Brentwood, TN); sister Becca Platt and fiancé Justin Sutton (Clarksville, TN), brother-in law Justin Ramer and wife Katie (Paducah, KY); his three nephews Jack, Ellis, and Desmond and two nieces Callie Rose and Nova; and many aunts and uncles who loved him like a son.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Sallye English and Bill and Paula Platt.

There will be a celebration of Rob’s life on Monday, April 10th at First United Methodist Church in Jackson, TN. Visitation with the family will be from 12-2pm with the celebration to follow in the sanctuary.

Anyone attending is invited to wear something tie-dye or clothing representing their favorite music group or sports team in Rob’s honor.

“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience; this is the ideal life.” Mark Twain

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Platt family.