- Date Of Birth: July 26, 1948
- Date Of Death: December 28, 2012
- State: Alabama
Theophilus Gary Jackson, began life on July 26, 1945, the second of three sons born to James Maston and Lavern Herring Jackson, in Tuskegee, Alabama. The family moved from Hartselle, Alabama to Chicago, Illinois in the late 1940s. From the beginning, almost no one, except his teachers, called him by his given name. During the early years of his life, he was simply “Gary” to his family, Theophilus proving to be a mouthful and much too serious for a small, often mischievous boy. Later, however, he became Thē or Theo, our much-loved brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
Tenacious, stubborn, gregarious, and fun loving, his life was one of hard work, achievement and devotion to family, shaped by his experiences growing up on Chicago’s South side. He was part of a large and close-knit extended family that included his aunts, uncles and cousins who helped shape those early years and who assisted in building the foundation of the life he led. Theo never forgot lessons learned during that period of his life: caring about others, giving your best to any effort and being grateful for small victories. In fact, he was grateful, as well, for the real-life challenges that he knew were instrumental in forging a pathway to success. But, most importantly, he was thankful for and extremely proud to have been a beneficiary of the love and security he knew growing up in a strong, adoring family headed by parents and populated by relatives who fully embraced the efficacy of hard work and determination. Laziness is not a term associated with the Jacksons.
Theo’s baptism at Forty-fourth Street Baptist Church in Chicago, at an early age, epitomized his parents’ enduring faith.
A child of parents reared in the segregated south, Theo (along with his siblings) was pressed to embrace education as a means to an economically satisfying life. Beginning with his years as a student at Chicago’s Forestville and McCosh Elementary Schools and A child of parents reared in the segregated south, Theo (along with his siblings) was pressed to embrace education as a means to an economically satisfying life. Beginning with his years as a student at Chicago’s Forestville and McCosh Elementary Schools and Englewood High School, Theo developed a lifelong appreciation for learning that he passed on to his own children. Notably, his leadership skills were apparent when he was elected president of his eighth grade class and was tasked with speaking at the promotion ceremony for students moving into high school. Leadership and learning converged when, at his brother Jimmy’s urging, he impressively included a quotation from Hamlet:
“This above all: to thine own self be true,
and it must follow, as the night the day,
thou canst not then be false to any man.”
The quote has proven to symbolize the man he was. There was no pretense in Theo. During high school he evolved further through participation in the Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) and was especially proud of his role as a member of the Englewood High School varsity football team. After high school, Theo attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN.
Theo spent his early post-college years as a successful insurance salesman who, by then, was married to the former Arnetta Phillips and was father to Gary Eugene. He continued his employment in the insurance industry through the late 1960s when American Airlines hired him. His intelligence, tremendous work ethic and ability to interface with all kinds of people resulted in his promotion to Group Supervisor at O’Hare International Airport.
In 1974, Theo married Brenda Sherilynn Hart. Their two sons, Tarik Quincy and Lance Charles were born to this union. Theo’s love for his sons, Gary, Tarik and Lance, provided the impetus to strive for an even more secure position in his professional life. As hardworking airline employees, he and Brenda provided their sons the advantages and exposure that all children deserve but which to few receive. Theo’s appointment in 1982 as General Manager of American’s Oakland, California operations saw the family move west to a new life as residents of Hayward, California. The family adapted easily to their identities as Bay Area residents, forging easy friendships with co-workers and neighbors and building lasting alliances with community leaders. As General Manager, Theo was American’s liaison to government and community groups. In that capacity, he managed the airline’s philanthropic relationships with respect to programs and charities operating in the Bay area. (Brenda can help with this list). Theo was a much-respected member of the Oakland community who was well known for his personal and professional support of local initiatives. During his tenure with American, the airline actively aided The Boys and Girls Club as well as local schools. He served on the boards of several community organizations, notably, the Black Chamber of Commerce and worked closely with the Port of Oakland. He was a member of and later President of the Airport Business Association. and contributed his common sense approach to addressing community concerns. The recipient of numerous awards, he never underestimated the good fortune that allowed him to work closely with key members of Oakland’s thriving business community.
In singular acts of tribute to Theo’s unqualified loyalty to the city of Oakland, two elected officials, in separate events, recognized his commitment. In one instance, Mayor Elihu Harris declared June 10, 1995. “Theo Jackson Day, while Congressman Walter Tucker of the United States House of Representatives placed a similar tribute in the Congressional Record. Following his retirement from American Airlines, he worked for a brief time as General Manager of Super Shuttle and served as co-owner of a Little Caesar’s franchise.
Theo will be remembered as an unabashed, unapologetic, thoroughly committed family man who thoroughly enjoyed life and was devoted to Brenda, Gary, Tarik and Lance and his ten grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as “Papa”. Everything he accomplished professionally was aimed at enhancing his family’s opportunities. Moreover, he famously took pride in the strides made by his brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews and myriad family members over the six decades since the original migration from Alabama. His unconditional loyalty to his beloved family and his circle of close friends, some of whom he had known since childhood, and others since coming to California, was a signature part of his persona.
To his credit, Theo was never conflicted about the tenuous nature of any person’s claim to positions of privilege. He was, therefore, a man for others. His endearing, larger-than-life presence, down-to-earth way of dealing with people, his infectious sense of humor and take-no-prisoners response to challenges are lasting reminders of the impact he had on all who knew and loved him.
Theo passed quietly into eternity at his home on Friday, December 28, 2012 after a long illness. He is survived by his devoted wife, Brenda; his sons, Gary Eugene Jackson, Tarik Quincy Jackson, Sr., and Lance Charles Jackson, Sr.; his brothers, James W. Jackson (Shirley) and Michael L. Jackson (Shelinder); his sister-in-law, Cynthia Sharp, brother-in-law, Reginald Sharp; his grandchildren, Mya Jackson, Gary Jamil Jackson, Morris Jackson, Arthur Jackson, Laelah Jackson, Kia Jackson, Lance Jackson, Jr., Tarik Jackson, Jr., Cynthia Jackson and Charles Jackson; scores of other relatives, including nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins and numerous friends.
