James C. Jackson, Jr.

He was born on April 28, 1935, in Pittsburgh, PA, to James C. and Alice Jackson.

Jim grew up in Pittsburgh, and graduated from Brentwood High School. He was an outstanding athlete, playing basketball, baseball and football in school and was a natural leader in the classroom. A highlight of his baseball career was joining the Baltimore Orioles.

Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1958 and served in Bodenheim, Germany, along with Elvis Presley. He received his college degree from Loch Haven College in PA and taught school and coached basketball for several years at Monongahela (PA) High School.

He enjoyed all sports, was an avid golfer and lived and played golf at TPC Piper Glen. He was a 1996 PSL ticket holder of the Carolina Panthers and rarely missed a game.

Jim married Patsy Hoyle Jackson in 1984, and together they founded Ambassador Personnel Services, a successful personnel agency and staffing firm. The business was sold and he retired in 2001.

Upon retirement, Jim handpicked his lifelong buddy, Torry, a Shetland sheepdog, who was always loyal and by his side.

Jim is survived by his wife, Patsy Jackson; his children, Jimmy Jackson (Randi); Sharon Woodworth; Judy Whitesell (Graham); Wende Kimble (Dave); and Brian Kester; his grandchildren, Balay, Colvin, Sam and Amy; his sister, Gerry Komeroski; niece, Donna Joyce, and great nieces and nephews.

The family will greet friends on Saturday, June 27, 2015, from 10-11 a.m. at the McEwen-Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, in Charlotte, followed by his funeral service at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Crown Memorial Park, 9620 Rodney Street, in Pineville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Charlotte Humane Society, 2700 Toomey Ave., Charlotte, NC 28203. www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.