Dr. W. Jerome "Jerry" Jackson, Jr

Dr. W. Jerome Jackson, Jr. Jerry, 86, Kingsport, died Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at home.

Born in Asheville, NC, he came to Kingsport at the age of 7, grew up in Kingsport, and graduated from Dobyns- Bennett High School at the age of 17 in 1943. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute for one year. After serving 2 years in the U.S. Navy, 1944-1946, he returned to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and received a B.S. degree in Chemistry in1949. He then attended Duke University, where he became a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and received a Ph.D. degree in organic chemistry in 1952.

Jerry was employed in the Research Laboratories of Tennessee Eastman Company four summers while in college and then an additional 39 years from 1952 until his retirement in 1991. He became a Research Fellow, was internationally known as a pioneer in liquid crystal polyesters, and was invited to give lectures at numerous universities and scientific conferences in North America, Europe, and Asia. He also was an inventor on over 170 U.S. patents and numerous foreign patents. In 1989 he was featured in "Tennessee Illustrated" magazine as one of 20 outstanding persons in Tennessee.

He was active in the healing ministry and was a very active member in various areas of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. He was also an active telephone worker serving 4-hour shifts at Contact-Concern of Kingsport for 21 yeas from 1990 to 2011. Jerry learned the Russian language to assist him during 16 annual short-term evangelistic trips to various areas in the Ukraine from 1992 to 2007 with a nondenominational group based in Statesville, N.C.

Jerry traveled extensively with his wife Louisa to many countries in the world. He was also very active in hiking, tennis, bicycling, and skiing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Winston J. Jackson and Marjorie Chipman, and a sister, Barbara Smith,

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Louisa Jackson, Kingsport; daughter, Ann Fisher and husband, John Fisher, Fairfax, VA; a son, Blane Jackson, Locust Grove, VA; two grandchildren, John and Elisabeth Fisher, Fairfax, VA; a sister, Carolyn Leslie, Jefferson City, TN; and several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 6, 2012 at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church with The Rev. Richard Shackleford officiating. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service. Inurnment will be at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2012.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 3248, Kingsport, TN 37664.