PHIL JACKSON
"SO WHAT?"
Phillip E. Jackson, age 84, of Gainesville, passed away October 13, 2014, at his residence.
Born Nov. 22, 1929, in Washington, GA, he moved to Gainesville in 1939 and was the son of the late Lucius C."Jack" Jackson and Gladys Combs Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers "Jack" Jr. and Wendall; and his youngest daughter, Shane Jackson Smith.
Phil was the Sports Editor for The Times and began his writing career while at Gainesville High School and became a cub reporter for The Daily Times in 1947. His first columns were entitled "Peekin' Over The Fence." He became Sports Editor at age 18 and was believed to be the youngest daily newspaper sports editor in the nation. He left The Daily Times to enter the University of Georgia in 1950. He served two years in the US Army, a year of it in the Korean conflict. After his service time, he returned to school and in 1954 was again named Sports Editor for the Daily Times and thus began his "So What?" columns.
In his later years, Phil became a columnist (not limited to sports) that forged a newspaper career that lasted over 40 years and a writing career that spanned six decades. He retired from The Times in 1992.
His passion and enthusiasm for sports was also evident in his play-by-play announcing for local radio stations WGGA and WDUN with his long time "side kick" and chauffeur, the late Mike Banks. He began his broadcasting career in 1957 and in 1988 he decided to "hand over the mike." In 2013, Gainesville High School designated the Phil Jackson Broadcast Booth at Bobby Gruhn Field in his honor.
Over the years, his knowledge and expertise in the field of sports won him many honors through the National Newspaper Association and the Associated Press. He also served as a Heisman Trophy voter for many years. Locally, he was twice honored in 1972 and 1997, by the City of Gainesville proclaiming "Phil Jackson Day." In 1972, Mayor Joe Stargel proclaimed Phil Jackson as "The Voice of the Red Elephants."
A few years after retirement, in collaboration with longtime friend Sammy Smith, Phil compiled many of his favorite columns written during his career into a book entitled, "Fifty Years of Cheers and Jeers."
Because of his vast knowledge of local sports, he was chosen by the late John Jacobs, Jr., to head the selection committee for the Sports Hall of Fame at the Northeast Georgia History Center.
Phil was an avid golfer, who enjoyed his twice a week outings with his favorite golfing buddies, Jack Ferguson, George Pace and Martin Gaither. You could often see Phil walking the Chattahoochee Golf Course or across the road to visit his friends at Ingles Grocery.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Barbara Jones Jackson; daughters, Sandy Heath (Rob) Dawsonville; Stacie McCune (Rick) Gainesville; Susan Jackson-Cole, Brunswick. Grandchildren, Camryn Cole, St. Simons Island; Sara Claire Smith, Gainesville; Charli Heath, Dahlonega; Chad and Justin McCune, Marietta.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Parkway Ste. 222, Gainesville 30501; Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, 845 West Ridge Road, Gainesville 30507; or the Gainesville Athletic Club, PO Box 3141, Gainesville 30503.
Phil's entire philosophy on life can be summed up in a quote by Tom T. Hall, "there ain't nothin' in the world worth a solitary dime, except old dogs and children and watermelon wine."
Those wishing to leave online condolences may do so at littledavenport.com
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
