Gary Lynne Jackson

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, July 30 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa followed by a reception in Warner Hall at the church.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Ashel L. Jackson and Merle E. Baxter Jackson of Tuscaloosa. He is survived by his brother, Dr. David Jackson (Sara) and nieces Susan Elizabeth Jackson and Sara Lynne Keith (John).

Gary was born July 11, 1940, in Tuscaloosa. He graduated from Tuscaloosa High School in 1958. He earned a bachelor of science degree in biology in 1962 and in commerce and business administration in 1965 from The University of Alabama, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. While serving in the U.S. Air Force, he earned a master’s degree in administrative leadership from George Washington University.

During his university years, he was employed for several summers with the National Parks Service in the Grand Teton National Park where he developed a lifelong affection for the area of Jackson Hole and all of Wyoming.

Following his service in the U.S. Air Force, he moved to California and was employed with Stanford Research Institute and with Standard Oil Company. He subsequently was employed for many years in human resources with the international engineering, construction, and project management company Bechtel Corporation, holding posts throughout the Middle East, primarily in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

After returning to Tuscaloosa, Gary was first employed in real estate and then for many years with the Tuscaloosa Public Library until the time of his death. Gary was an avid reader, a fan of vampire fiction, and dearly enjoyed his work life with the staff and patrons of the Tuscaloosa Public Library.

Gary was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon and elder and sang in the choir until the end of his life. His gift to the congregation was that of hospitality, welcoming all members, young and old, to every Wednesday night meal and other congregational gatherings.

Gary had a lifelong love of music. He and his brother David were members of the entertainment band, the Tune Toppers, and during college, he was a member of the professional band, The Starlighters. In his later years, he sang with the Tuscaloosa Community Singers.

Gary enjoyed civic life. He was a long-time member of the Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa, served as an election poll worker for the Tuscaloosa County Board of Registrars for many years, and was an avid Crimson Tide fan, regularly attending University of Alabama football games and gymnastics meets.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church and the Tuscaloosa Public Library.