Jerome "J. J." Jackson (Okemos)

Mr. Jerome a.k.a. “J.J.” Jackson went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan at the age of 70. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 28, 1950, to Robert George Jackson and Ora Maxine Johnson-Jackson. On October 24, 2015, he united in Holy Matrimony with Cynthia Weisenberg Jackson and they were greatly in love until his passing. Their love for each other was a match made in heaven.

J.J. had a personal relationship with Christ and he loved the Lord with all his heart. He loved to read the Bible. At the end when he couldn’t read himself, he would ask you to read the scriptures to him. Growing up he attended Robinson Memorial Church of God in Christ and later became a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. Walter Gibson, Jr., Pastor, who was a special friend, as well as a spiritual leader to J.J. Reverend Maurice Scruggs, currently serving as Interim Pastor, was very special to J.J. as well.

J.J. had a loving heart, sweet spirit, and was a friend to all he came in contact with. He was a joyful, bubbly person that could make you laugh or smile at the simplest of things. He loved to tell jokes. He could change a quiet atmosphere into a joyful celebration. He was the inspiration at family gatherings and to say the least, he loved his family. So dear to his heart were his two sons (Chad and Jordan) whom he adored; he loved taking them places and being with them.

At the age of five J.J., lost his vision due to the genetic condition called Stickler Syndrome. He attended the Michigan School for the Blind and graduated in 1968 as the first African-American valedictorian in the school’s 100-year-old history. Along with J.J. attending the School for the Blind was his brother, Milton and his best friend, Stevland Morris a.k.a. renowned singer Stevie Wonder. Stevie and J.J. enjoyed a special bond that lasted over five decades resulting in many opportunities for J.J. to travel and accompany Stevie for special events and concerts. They were there for each other during illnesses, birthdays, weddings, and the passing of family members over the years. They have exchanged many gifts with each other including J.J.’s homemade tapestry of Stevie, with his daughter, Aisha and baby boy, Keita; and Stevie’s special gift to J.J. that he so loved, a Lincoln Continental car. In 2003, J.J. commissioned a special sculpture titled Rings of Friendship, by local artist, Jim Cunningham, to be made for Stevie to celebrate their many years of friendship. J.J. was also in the process of writing a book, Rings of Friendship about his relationship with Stevie, which he described as, “Each moment that we can be in each other’s presence is charged with magic.” Through Stevie’s friendship, J.J. met many other famous people like comedian and actor Chris Tucker. J.J. and Chris shared a heartfelt friendship with much laughter and joking amongst them. J.J. said he considered Chris as “his brother from another mother”.

J.J. enjoyed playing the saxophone and piano and listening to music. Growing up he enjoyed playing baseball, kickball, and several board games with his siblings. He also liked to ride his tandem bike with them. He was passionate for birds. His birds were a great therapy to him.

J.J. attended Michigan State University and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics/Computer Science in 1973. After graduation, he became the first blind computer programmer at the Oldsmobile headquarters plant in Lansing. In 1974, J.J. became a research associate/systems analyst at MSU's Artificial Language Laboratory, under John Eulenberg, Ph.D., contributing to the research and development of technological solutions for persons with neurological/neuromuscular disorders and he continued to work on projects with Dr. Eulenberg for the rest of his life. In 1982, J.J. accepted an offer from his friend Stevie Wonder and Los Angeles became his home, where he researched technology, arranged purchases, and taught Mr. Wonder how to use the equipment that would enhance his life. At that time, J.J. began performing at comedy clubs, due to his friendship with Karen Knotts, daughter of comedian, Don Knotts. Humor has been an important part of his life. In 1983, he returned to the East Lansing area and worked as a Specialist/Program Coordinator of Alternative Format Services for students with disabilities at Michigan State University. In 1987, he was selected by the United States Information Agency to serve as a diplomatic representative to Zimbabwe, Africa. J.J. spent two-and-a-half months in Zimbabwe, evaluating educational programs for persons with visual impairments and presenting recommendations for improvements to the country's Minister of Education. In 1991, he worked as a Housing Advocate, Westside Center for Independent Living, Los Angeles, California and later worked as Customer Service Representative at Dean Transportation in Lansing, Michigan. J.J. received his Masters of Labor Industrial Relations/Human Resources from Michigan State University, graduating summa cum laude in 1994. During his masters, he became an intern at Amoco Oil Corporation in Chicago, Illinois and was later hired as a Human Resources Staffing Representative with AMOCO. J.J. was the only blind Human Resource Manager among Amoco's 700 HR professionals in the United States. After six years, J.J. returned to the Lansing area to be near his family.

J.J. volunteered in many areas like Tri County Office on Aging, CATA Transportation Board, a volunteer reader and piano player at Sparrow Hospital. He was an active board member for numerous organizations including: Michigan Commission for the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan, and Board of Advisors for Foster Grandparents/Senior Companion Program. He presented and was often the main speaker at events to inspire handicap children and adults and to teach about diversity. He traveled the world, many times by himself. He was the inspiration to a family cookbook titled “Mama Sho’ Can Cook”, which is a collection of several of his mother’s recipes. J.J. loved his mom and dad tremendously.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Cindy W Jackson; sons, Chadwick Jackson Combs-Wise and Jordan Christopher (Gabrielle) Jackson; stepson, Brian (Stacy) Ging; sisters Queen Esther (Pastor Ronald) Perteet, Geneva (Rick) Hawthorne, Dolores (Pastor Ricky) Smith; brothers, Ellihue (Alma), Robert (Shelley), Wilbert (Karen), James Jackson; sisters-in-law, Carol (Bob) Horness and Conni (Doug) Artin; brother-in-law, David (Paulette) Weisenberg; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many, many friends, including special friend, Bonnie Jackson.

J.J. was proceeded in death by his parents, George and Maxine Jackson; sister, Johnnie Mae Beasley; brothers, Curtis Eugene Jackson-Shamsid-Deen and Milton Jackson; sister-in-law, Martha Jackson; brother-in-law, Josh Beasley; niece, Shatrece Morris; nephews, Christian Smith, Anthony Jackson and Josh DuWayne Beasley.

J.J. named his youngest son Jordan after a song he would often hear his mother playing - “Jordan River, I am bound to cross; I have one more river to cross….” J.J. has now crossed over that river to meet King Jesus.

Memorial contributions may be given in memory of Jerome Jackson to:
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
5200 Pleasant Grove Road
Lansing, MI 48911

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Make checks payable to: MD Anderson Cancer Center
P.O. Box 4486
Houston, Texas 77210-4486
or donate online to: https://gifts.mdanderson.org/ (select: In Memory of:)