As I read the "in memory" page of the 1969 Class Website there were many names I recognized. Too many actually. But the name Thomas Jackson brought an especially and profound ping to my heart. Tom was always quiet, discerning, aware, and a joy to be around.
There was a group of us that ate high school lunch together and many of that group would play touch football on Saturday at Hessel Park. One Saturday I tried to throw a pass to Tom. He was halfway down the field before I released the football. It was a poor pass with not enough power, Tom saw my error from half a field away and ran most of the way back to the line of scrimmage in time to knock the football out of a defender's hand and avoid an interception. I always wanted to be able to run as fast as Tom Jackson. I am sorry that the world has lost a wonderful caring man. He is missed but will be remembered for my lifetime.
Yes Mark Pugh, Tom was very fast. I believe he ran the 220 or 440 on the track team. I represented Tom several times over the years as adults, we would discuss South Side and growin up in the 60's. Ironically, for such a gifted athlete, he toolk up cigarettes, and that is what led to the lung cancer that claimed him too soon.
Tom didn't die of lung cancer. It was actually a rare form of blood cancer related to luekemia. I can't remember the name of it but Deb Jackson would know.
Mark Pugh (Pugh)
As I read the "in memory" page of the 1969 Class Website there were many names I recognized. Too many actually. But the name Thomas Jackson brought an especially and profound ping to my heart. Tom was always quiet, discerning, aware, and a joy to be around.
There was a group of us that ate high school lunch together and many of that group would play touch football on Saturday at Hessel Park. One Saturday I tried to throw a pass to Tom. He was halfway down the field before I released the football. It was a poor pass with not enough power, Tom saw my error from half a field away and ran most of the way back to the line of scrimmage in time to knock the football out of a defender's hand and avoid an interception. I always wanted to be able to run as fast as Tom Jackson. I am sorry that the world has lost a wonderful caring man. He is missed but will be remembered for my lifetime.
Buddy Selin
Yes Mark Pugh, Tom was very fast. I believe he ran the 220 or 440 on the track team. I represented Tom several times over the years as adults, we would discuss South Side and growin up in the 60's. Ironically, for such a gifted athlete, he toolk up cigarettes, and that is what led to the lung cancer that claimed him too soon.
Mary Clare Wilder (Bradford)
Tom didn't die of lung cancer. It was actually a rare form of blood cancer related to luekemia. I can't remember the name of it but Deb Jackson would know.