James Oliver Jackson

J. Oliver Jackson, a member of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame who coached track and field athletes from Abilene Christian University who set or tied 15 world records and won four gold medals in the Olympic Games, died December 26, 2007 at 87 years of age. A family burial will be followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. Saturday at Highland Church of Christ, 425 Highland under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home of Abilene. Family visitation will be Friday, December 28 from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Jackson's survivors include his wife, Bridget Marie (Biddie) Rowland Jackson, of Abilene, and three daughters and their husbands, Sara Brumit of Hutto, Rolanda Fulham and husband Paul of Abilene, and Lola Barnes and husband Terry of Comanche. Survivors also include grandchildren Wes Anderson of Hutto, Blaine Anderson of Arlington, Paul David Fulham, III and his wife Lindsey of Houston, Jackson Fulham of Plano, Bridget and Zane Barnes of Comanche and Lubbock and great-grandson Karsen Macias of Arlington. Several nieces and nephews also survive Coach Jackson. Born in Denison, Texas on July 17, 1920 to O.I. and Jo Moore Jackson, he was the eighth of nine children. Preceding Jackson in death are his parents and siblings. Jackson and Biddie Rowland, a 1939 graduate of Denison High School, were married Dec. 14, 1944, in Denison and were married 63 years prior to his death. He was a member of the Class of 1942 at ACU, but his graduation was delayed until 1946 (Bachelor of Science degree in education) because of four years of service in World War II. Entering military service in January 1942 in Lubbock, he served as a USAF captain and as a combat intelligence and executive officer of the 321st Bombardment Group in the 12th Air Force in Africa, Sicily, Italy, Corsica and France. Jackson graduated from Denison High School in 1938. He was a member of the Class of 1942 at Abilene Christian University, but his graduation was delayed until 1946 (Bachelor of Science degree in education) because of four years of service in World War II. Entering military service in January 1942 in Lubbock, he served as a USAF captain and as a combat intelligence and executive officer of the 321st Bombardment Group in the 12th Air Force in Africa, Sicily, Italy, Corsica and France. He also received a Master of Education degree from University of North Texas in 1953. Jackson served on many national boards and was a Life Member of the Old Guard. He attended University of North Texas and Oklahoma Baptist University before enrolling at Abilene Christian, where he played running back for the football team and competed in the sprints and 440 in track and field. After his coaching career ended in 1963, he served 20 years as senior vice president and director of Marketing for American Founders Life Insurance Co. in Austin after managing its agency in Lubbock. Jackson served on the Board of Trustees for Abilene Christian from 1974 to 1990 until his promotion to the Senior Board, and he also was an officer of the university's National Development Council. In 1960 Abilene Christian named Jackson the winner of its award for Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, the first active faculty member to receive such an honor. He was a member of seven Halls of Fame including Abilene Christian, U.S. Track and Field Coaches Association, Drake Relays, and the NAIA. In 1978, he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Dallas with five others, including Tom Landry, the late coach of the Dallas Cowboys Jackson was a member of Highland Church of Christ in Abilene and earlier served as a deacon at College (University) Church of Christ in Abilene and an elder for the University Avenue Church of Christ in Austin. An honorable Christian family man, coach and business executive, he was known for his positive attitude and as an encourager to achieve greatness. His infectious smile and twinkle in his blue eyes will be remembered by all who knew him. He is waiting at the turn with his whistle. He will be dearly missed. The family requests any gifts be made to: ACU Gift Records, The Oliver and Biddie Jackson Scholarship Fund, ACU Box 29132, Abilene, TX 79699-9132; or to Hendrick Hospice Care, Hendrick Medical Center Foundation, 1900 Pine St., Abilene, TX 79601.