of Rogers, AR
January 25, 1926 - March 6, 2020
Jay W. Jackson, of Rogers, died Friday, March 6, 2020. He was born January 25, 1926 in Atkins, Arkansas. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Rogers.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Vera Reynolds Jackson, sisters Martha Marks and Willa Jackson.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patsy Patton Jackson, his daughters; Janan Jackson Foster, Susan Jackson Keller, two grandchildren; Jennifer Wiens (Dustin), Matt Keller (Alison), four great-grandchildren, Rhett, Carter, Madilyn Wiens and Ellie Keller all of Rogers and one sister, Bobbie McGoogan (Bill) of North Little Rock.
During WWII he served in the U. S. Army Air Corps and was a nose gunner on a B-24. He attended Hendrix College in Conway two years and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1950 with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism.
Jay came to Clinton in 1951 to become Editor of the Van Buren County Democrat. He married Patsy Patton on May 21, 1953. They were publisher and co-publisher for forty-seven years.
Jackson served on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Press Association for 6 years and was President of the Association in 1968. He served as State Chairman of the National Newspaper Association several years. Jay was a member of a group of U. S. publishers to make the last KOB, Know Ontario Better tour in 1965. He made other tours of Canada as Chairman of the International Relations Committee of NNA. Jay represented NNA at an annual convention of the Canadian Press Association at Halifax, Novia Scotia as State Chairman. He spent a week in Cairo, Egypt in 1995 on a tour sponsored by the Egyptian-American Cooperation Association.
In Clinton, he was President of the Chamber of Commerce for four years; secretary and president of the Clinton Lions Club; and secretary and president of Choctaw Shrine Club, a unit of Scimitar Shrine Temple of Little Rock. Jay served more than 20 years on the Board of Trustees of Van Buren County Library and as a member of Clinton City Council from 1971 through 2001. He was a retired member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department and served on the Board of Directors of Clinton State Bank from 1986 until 2000. He has been a member of Van Buren County Farm Bureau since 1951; Greers Ferry Lake Association from its inception in 1965 and received a Distinguished Service Award in 1990 for 25 years in the association. Jay received a Distinguished Service Award from Arkansas Press Association in February 1998. Along with his wife, Patsy, he received a Merchant of the Year Award from the Clinton Chamber of Commerce in January 1998.
The Jacksons moved to Rogers in 2003, to be closer to their family.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Clinton United Methodist Church at 1:00 p.m. Services to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. George O'Dell officiating. Burial will follow in Clinton Cemetery.
For online guestbook, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clinton
Sign Guestbook
12 Condolence(s)
Laura Bunton
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Patsy I’m sorry to hear of Jays passing. It was a pleasure getting acquainted with you both. Please give my condolences to the girls.
Laura Bunton
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
So sorry to hear of Jays passing Patsy. It was a pleasure to get acquainted with you both. Please give my condolences to the girls.
Lisa Kuykendall
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
I am sorry for your loss. May God give you peace during this time. I worked with Mr. Jackson at Clinton State Bank. I appreciate all the hard work they did on the Van Buren County Democrat. I love seeing pictures and articles from those old papers.
Lisa (Holland) Kuykendall
Steven Autry
Monday, March 9, 2020
Condolences to the family.
Charles and Glenda Smith
Monday, March 9, 2020
So sorry for your lose. Our prayers are with you.
Charles and Glenda Smith
Cindy Lewis
Monday, March 9, 2020
Janan, Susan, and family,
I am very sorry to hear this sad news. I know you will miss your beloved father very much, and have so many cherished memories. He was such a talented, good man. Praying for you all.
Cindy McCormac Lewis
steve trolinger
Monday, March 9, 2020
Patsy, Janan and Susan. So sorry to read of Jay’s passing. You know he was a wonderful husband and father and I know he was a great friend and counselor. His opinion was always welcome and respected. He left this a better place. Peace. SteveT
Bob and Aletha Galbraith
Monday, March 9, 2020
Jay was one of the nicest persons that you could ever meet. He and his wife Patsy was an asset to VBC and was definitely good people to have as friends. We missed them when they left and the paper was never the same without their personal touch. Deepest sympathy to you Patsy and the rest of the family.
Bob and Aletha Galbraith.
Ronnie Wilkerson
Monday, March 9, 2020
Mr. Jackson lived an accomplished life and was very successful in his professional life. May you remember all the good memories over the years. Prayers sent
Wesley and Sharon Ledbetter
Sunday, March 8, 2020
So very sorry for your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers lifting you up in God name for comfort and peace.
Jaimie Alexander
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Patsy,Susan, Janab,and family,
I thinking about Jay and each of you. What a joy to have known Jay! I am so sorry not to be able to attend his service. It is a great regret!
In my prayers!
Elaine Blair
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Jay was a talented and civic-minded man who contributed much to journalism, various organizations, the town of Clinton and Van Buren County. He leaves special memories for family and friends to hold dear.