Former District 1 county commissioner Frank Jackson has passed away after an extended illness. He was 79 years old.
Jackson had been battling serious health issues recently. This week, his condition deteriorated and the prognosis was grim. Friday evening, Jackson passed away at his home with his family at his side.
Jackson had served the Coffee County community in a number of different capacities. He was a county commissioner for 34 years. During his time on the commission, he was a champion for those who did not have a voice. One issue that was important to Jackson was the senior citizens of Coffee County. He was a vocal proponent of the Senior Citizens Center and worked hard to make sure that the community’s seniors had a place to go, meals to eat, and the assistance they needed to thrive in their later years.
Communities, especially rural communities, do not thrive and compete favorably with their larger counterparts without stalwart advocates. Frank Jackson was just such an advocate. Though he served the people of District 1, he was concerned with the entirety of Coffee County and worked tirelessly to make sure people throughout the county had what they needed to be successful. Jackson was active in community affairs on and off the county commission, and he was also an enthusiastic and steadfast volunteer in his church.
Most recently, Jackson served the community as the liaison between local government and the farmer’s market, located on South Gaskin Avenue. An important hub of commerce on the weekends, Jackson helped oversee the seamless operation of this valuable facility.
During his 79 years, Frank Jackson made a significant and lasting impact on the Douglas-Coffee County community. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed.
Jackson leaves a large and tightly knit family to mourn his passing, including his wife, Vivian; a son; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, friends, and colleagues he met during his decades of public service.