James “Jim” Cecil Jackson, Jr. died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford after a brief illness.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.  Visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, from 4 until 7 p.m. at West Hall at Waller Funeral Home and again following the service at the church. A private graveside service will be held at Oxford Memorial Cemetery.
Jim was born to the late Bettye Duke Jackson and James Cecil Jackson on Feb. 5, 1954 in Fort Benning, Georgia. Most of his childhood was spent in his beloved Oxford. Jim was athletically accomplished and was the first to letter in all men’s sports offered at Oxford High School.  He played football at Northwest Junior College before graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1977 with a BBA in Accounting. He married the love of his life, Laura Sims, in 1979. Much of his career was with the U. S. Treasury in Jackson, Tenn.  In 2005 Jim retired as a Special Agent.  He lived with Parkinson’s disease for more than two decades, but he didn’t let that hinder his passion for encouraging teenagers and young men.  Jim was in his element helping troubled teens at Youth Town and working with Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Lambuth University and Ole Miss. Many were led to Christ through his passion. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his nephew, Edwin Hayes “Trip” Roberts, III.
Survivors include his wife, Laura Sims Jackson of Oxford; daughters, Mary Elizabeth Jackson of Birmingham, Ala. and Sims Jackson of Jackson, Tenn.; sister, Celia Roberts of Oxford; mother-in-law, Mary Burnett Sims of Oxford; sister-in-law, Robbie Sims Schuchard (Charlie) of Little Rock, Ark.; nieces, Mary Margaret Rogers (Tyler) and Lisa Roberts; nephews, Mike Roberts (Ashley), Scott Roberts (Lori) and Scott Schuchard (Michelle); 14 great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Youth Town of Tennessee, 3641 Youth Town Road, Pinson, TN 38366 or online @ youthtown.net or the charity of the donor’s choice.
For further information or to leave an online condolence, please call 662-234-7971 or visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com.