Thomas Jackson

THOMAS CHARLES JACKSON
Born May 4, 1916; West Mifflin, PA; Died January 13, 2011; Grand Rapids, MI

Thomas Jackson, World War II navy veteran and retired U.S. Steel corporate executive, died January 13, 2011, with his wife, Betty, by his side.  In addition to Betty, he is lovingly survived by three sons; David (Melanie), Thomas (Eileen), and Paul (Karen), ten grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.  Tom graduated from Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon) University in 1938, earning a degree in electrical engineering.  He continued working at U.S. Steel’s Homestead Works for 2 years, where he had worked to put himself through school.   In 1940 he joined Westinghouse Electric and was there through the war, including his naval service.  After the war, Tom joined U.S. Steel and was there for 33 years in various capacities, retiring in 1978 as the company’s Manager of Mineral Properties.  Tom was, subsequently, briefly employed by Rinker Building Materials as chief engineer in West Palm Beach, Florida before returning with his wife to his home state of Pennsylvania in 1986.  Some of his outstanding professional achievements included the design and construction of the U.S. Steel dolomite quarry and processing plant in Cedarville, Michigan, and the initiation, design, and development of what later became the working prototype for underground record storage facilities.

Tom and Betty moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1995, bringing them closer to more of their immediate family.  For the past 14 years they have resided at Holland Homes Raybrook Estates.  He was a 32nd degree Mason and member of F&AM #582 with over 50 years of participation; a life member of the Pittsburgh Engineering Society and a 20+ year volunteer with SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) having been active in both the Pittsburgh and Grand Rapids chapters.  He was healthy and active until the end, visiting his beloved Pittsburgh in 2009 and attending a grandson’s wedding in Chicago in September.  He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.  Arrangements entrusted to George Irvin Green Funeral Home Inc. 412-461-6394 georgeigreenfuneralhome.com

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