Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Jackson, age 78 years, a resident of Dailey, WV passed away from cancer on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at his residence. He was a native of Elkins, born September 27, 1932, the son of the late of Wayne and Mary High Jackson.
On August 29, 1956 at the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church in Elkins, he married Phyllis Lee Scott Jackson who survives. Also surviving is one son, Gary W. Jackson and one daughter, Mary Lee Phillips and her husband Otto of Cody, Wyoming. Tom and Phyllis have four grandsons, John Thomas Jackson, Dylan Wayne Jackson, Aaron Wayne Kittle and Nathan Ray Kittle.
He received his undergraduate degree from Davis and Elkins College. After graduation from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia in 1957, he was the pastor of the Berkeley Springs Presbyterian Church, Berkeley Springs, WV. He later obtained his Doctorate of Ministry from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1990.
Serving as pastor in a small town while raising a son and daughter there, Tom was deeply involved in most areas of community life including the industrial, medical, political, civic and religious. Following 39 years of dedicated and often very personal ministry in Berkeley Springs, he retired in September 1996 and returned to Randolph County. He continued to be active in the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Tom’s interest in search and rescue lead to becoming a Chaplain in the Civil Air Patrol where he also qualified as a search pilot of the WV Wing. Prior to retirement, he joined the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team and was an active volunteer until earlier this year.
After retirement, he enjoyed camping in the West Virginia State Parks and traveling to Florida during the winters. He marveled in the beautiful view of the mountains from his home. During the last months of his life, he had the awe-inspiring opportunity to spend time and travel in Wyoming. God blessed him with time spent in the company of good people and with time experiencing the wonders of nature and animals.
At Dr. Jackson’s request, his remains will be cremated. His life will be celebrated during a memorial service on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Peter A. Vial officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to an organization of your personal choice. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Jackson.
