Obituary of E Rogers Jackson

E. Rogers Jackson

 

Roger passed away at Broad Creek Care Center at TidePointe in Hilton Head, South Carolina on April 16, 2021 in the loving presence of his family after a brief illness. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church on April 27 at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at Fairmont Cemetery in Madison, Indiana with the date for a graveside service announced at a later time.

 

Roger was born in rural southern Indiana to Wallace and Esther Jackson on August 6, 1930. He was the youngest of four children. His father owned a feed mill and a coal yard. Roger was driving a truck before he was old enough to have a driver's license. He graduated from North Madison High School where he played basketball, the only organized sport at that time.

 

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Hanover College where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He also attended Northwestern University and the University of Cincinnati.

 

Roger spent his entire career in the metal can business starting with American Can Company in the Chicago area in 1952. Most of his career was in Cincinnati rising to Senior Vice President of Heekin Can Company. Heekin was acquired in 1993 by Ball Corporation, the largest can maker in the world. He retired from Ball the following year under a consulting agreement and expanded his consulting business to include many other clients.

 

He was active in scientific and trade associations including a 66-year membership in the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). He served four years as Chairman of the Ohio Valley Section of the IFT. He played key roles in the Can Manufacturers Institute and the National Food Processors Association. He was the US representative to the International Packaging Association.

 

Roger was long involved in developing and supporting programs that served individuals with developmental disabilities. He was an inaugural member of what is now known as the Hamilton County (Ohio) Board of Development Disabilities. He spearheaded a county wide tax levy to fund the construction and operation of new facilities in 1974 and a building was named and dedicated in his honor in 1979. 

 

Roger married his great love, Marian (Kissel) Jackson, on October 19, 1996. They built a beautiful home in Hilton Head at the Long Cove Club where they enjoyed more than twenty years of golf and other community activities. He and Marian were both active members of the St. Andrew By-The-Sea church community and served as Stephen Ministers providing one-to-one care for those experiencing a difficult time in life.

 

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Marian; his daughter, Deborah Gail Jackson; his brothers, Melvin (Buddy) Jackson and Richard Wallace (Dick) Jackson; and his sister, Mary Ruth (Jackson) Hill. He is survived by four loving nephews; George, Paul Richard, John, and Roger Hill and their wives; great and great-great nieces and nephews; and many wonderful neighbors and friends.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church or Programs for Exceptional People (PEP) in Hilton Head or a charity of your choice.