Richard "Doug" Douglas Jackson Jr.

Richard Douglas Jackson Jr. (“Doug”), 37, of Atlanta, Georgia passed away February 7, 2018 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta from surgical complications after a 17-month battle with squamous cell carcinoma.

Doug was born July 14, 1980 in Mobile, Alabama, the son of Richard and Valerie (Turner) Jackson. He grew up in Mobile and graduated from Murphy High School in 1998. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa (1998-2002) followed by a Master of Science degree in Business/Managerial Economics from Georgia State University in Atlanta (2002-2003).

Doug and his wife, Amber, met while both were studying at the University of Alabama. They married in August 2005 and ten years later welcomed their son, Theodore Mayers Jackson (“Teddy”), in August 2015.

Doug experienced an outstanding business career that began immediately out of graduate school in a role as Research Economist in Treasury at Sun Trust Bank in Atlanta. From there, his career progressed quickly to a role as Senior Econometrician in Risk Management at Toyota North America in Los Angeles, California. During his professional tenure, he enjoyed a steady succession of increasingly larger roles at various companies based across the United States that ultimately accelerated him into senior leadership early in his career. He was quickly recognized as a respected leader and go-to of his industry expertise. Doug was most recently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Tribal Lending Enterprises / Upper Lake Processing Services and worked relentlessly with his signature poise, focus and determination until the day he passed.

An avid Bama sports fan (especially college football, ROLL TIDE), history lover and rugby player, Doug’s real and abiding passions were his son, his fur kids, his wife, family and friends. Doug sought to instill in his young son, Teddy, a zest for life, a commitment to family and friends and always the power of optimism. He was an eternal optimist.

In all of his actions, Doug taught us how to live with passion and perform with perfection. He showed us what it means to love everyone, be loyal, be fair and always have a sense of humor even in the most challenging of circumstances. He also demonstrated how to fight with conviction while maintaining the will and the belief to win. Through that, he also set an example of how to die with dignity. He touched the lives of all who knew him, but sadly his length of years were cut far too short.

Doug is survived by his wife of 12 years, Amber Jackson; their two-year old son, Teddy; his parents Richard and Valerie Jackson of Mobile; his brother Stephen (Amanda, Hank, James, Harrison) of Mobile; his brother Eric (Amanda, Meryll) of Mobile; his honorary sister Laura (Brian, Lita Kate, Vivi Jane) of Columbus, Mississippi; his maternal grandparents Lynwood and Rose Turner of Leakesville, Mississippi; his fur kids (Jack, Jill, Gilbert and Dolly); and many other loved ones whose lives he touched and will miss him immensely.

Visitation will be held at Radney Funeral Home in Mobile on Sunday, February 11th from 12:00 - 2:00 PM followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM.

Mobile Pallbearers:

Stephen Jackson (Mobile, AL); Eric Jackson (Mobile, AL); Chris Heaven (Houston, TX); Chuck Detling (Atlanta, GA); Dayton Brown (Mobile, AL); Keir Cooper (Birmingham, AL); Nick Yerby (Huntsville, AL); Nic Turner (Axis, AL); Matt Simpson (Daphne, AL); Will Lanier (Warner Robins, GA); John Leho (Evansville, IN)

Vernon Pallbearers:

Stephen Jackson (Mobile, AL); Eric Jackson (Mobile, AL); Richard Cantrell (Vernon, AL); Edward Taylor (Birmingham, AL); Richard Mayers Jr. (Tuscaloosa, AL); Ricks Mayers (Millport, AL)

Honorary Pallbearers:

UA Rugby, High Country Rugby Atlanta, North Atlanta Rugby, Upper Lake Team and Employees and Numerous Other Friends & Family