Ben Jackson
Francis Ben Jackson, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away at age 93 on September 13, 2017.
Ben is survived by his daughter, Kate Jackson (Doug) Dyer, two grandchildren, Rachel Dyer (Brent) Allred and Ellie Dyer, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by wives, Jean Trotter Jackson and Mildred Stinson Jackson of Chattanooga, his parents, Dr. Robert Wright Jackson and Kate Hester Dunwody Jackson of Bainbridge, Ga., brothers, Robert Wright Jackson of Tallahassee, Fl., and Dr. Oscar Dunwody Jackson of Bainbridge, Ga., and sister, Kate Jackson Stone of Atlanta.
Ben was born in Bainbridge, Ga., on March 27, 1924. He served in the U.S. Navy as a navigator aboard the USS Solace, a hospital ship stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. One of the more memorable events of his young life was witnessing the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi, Japan at the Battle of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1935. Ben’s ship, the USS Solace, rescued almost 2,000 patients in three evacuation trips from Iwo Jima to Guam and Saipan.
An academic at heart, Ben attended many universities in his youth, including Princeton University, University of South Carolina, Samford University, and his alma mater, Auburn University, where he graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. While at Auburn, he was a member of the Men’s Tennis Team.
Ben was employed by Combustion Engineering where he served as manager of Production Engineering, Chief Production engineer, and assistant to plant manager. His professional accomplishments include author of several publications, inventor of ten patents, and college lecturer.
Ben was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon. He was a man of strong faith, believing in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s grace and love. An avid tennis player and golfer, Ben also enjoyed gardening, wood working, storytelling, and traveling. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, vivid imagination, intelligence, resilience, charm and humor.
Visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Sept. 20, followed by the service at 11:30 a.m., with John Queen presiding. Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of The Terrace at Mountain Creek, Hospice of Chattanooga, and Ben’s devoted caregivers, in particular, Linda Williams and Evelyn Russell.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Changed Lives, P.O. Box 100, Chattanooga, Tn. 37401, or First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga.
Please share our thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.