Celebrate the life of Dr. Russell T. Jackson on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m. at Greater Mt. Zion AME Church, 1045 16th St. S, St. Petersburg.
ST. PETERSBURG – Venerated doctor and family man Russell T. Jackson made the transition to his heavenly home on Christmas Day 2023.
Born July 3, 1935, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Jackson was the second of three sons born to Russell and Rosita Jackson. Like his big brother, Robert, and little brother, Kenneth, he grew up in a household devoted to molding them into good men. Bright, energetic, and passionate, he knew by the time he was in the fifth grade that he would be a doctor, and his path never wavered.
After years of study and hard work, Jackson grew up to become one of the nation’s most trusted and dedicated anesthesiologists. He would hold leadership positions in some of the most notable care facilities and professional organizations in the United States. His stellar standards of professional excellence and unique approaches to problem-solving would be a matter of record during his multi-decade career as a trusted physician, hospital department head and trainer of future healthcare professionals.
Jackson graduated from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, where he majored in Chemistry and Zoology. He received his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., and held licensures in New Jersey, Georgia, and California. He was the first African American to intern at Atlantic City Hospital and the first African American in the residency program in anesthesia at the UCLA-Harbor Medical Centre.
Dierdre Downing-Jackson and Russell T. Jackson
In service to his country, Dr. Jackson joined the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego staff, where he held the rank of lieutenant commander. He trained residents and medical students, was attached to the 3rd Marine Division-Medical Company C as the executive officer and oversaw the opening of Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) units in Phu Bai and Chu Lai, Vietnam.
Most of his professional career was based in Los Angeles, where he was an attending staff physician in the Department of Anesthesia of Cedar-Sinai Medical Center for nearly four decades. He also headed the Anesthesia Departments of the University Hospital, West Adams Hospital and David Brotman Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles.
As a clinical instructor of anesthesiology, he trained future doctors at Charles Drew Medical School, Martin Luther King General Hospital and UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Jackson served on the board of directors of the Center for International Leadership in Washington, D.C., and was often called upon as an expert witness on health matters in state and national legislatures. The State of Israel honored him with the David Ben Gurion Award for his lifetime contributions to medicine.
For all his professional accomplishments, Jackson was a passionately devoted family man, a loving husband, an attentive father, a dependable counselor and a loyal friend. Two beautiful children were born of his early marriage to Rosina Langford. And for the rest of his life, Russell II and Traci filled his heart with a father’s pride as he showered them with love. According to Traci, “Dad was not a conventional dad, but I was always so confident of his love.”
In 1989, he married Dierdre Downing, and for the next 35 years, their personal love story and the energy, joy, passion, and guidance they shared with others were legendary. Jackson was a second father to her little son, Perry, and helped the village shape him into a man. The third child, adopted son Steve, rounded out their beautifully blended family. Ten grandchildren later, Jackson’s family continues to blossom in love.
Jackson deeply loved his family, his friends and his life. He was a true people person who thoroughly enjoyed a good time, good music, a good game, a good meal and a good joke. A consummate chef, he created many happy memories for those blessed with an opportunity to sit at his well-prepared table for one of his delicious meals of fried turkey, puttanesca pasta, mussels in wine sauce or oysters Tony.
He enjoyed sitting in on a set with his father-in-law, prominent jazz pianist Al Downing. He eagerly looked forward to his time on the golf course, international travel, a great party with the Guardsmen, a reunion with his elementary schoolmates-The Ramblers and 49ers, good fellowship with his Alpha Phi Alpha brothers and any time spent having fun with his loved ones.
Despite life’s stresses and challenges and his wearing work in the arena of sickness and death, Jackson’s spiritual walk showed in his life. He was an active member of First AME, the oldest church founded by African Americans in Los Angeles. And when he and Dierdre retired to St. Petersburg, they soon found a warm and welcoming church home at Greater Mt. Zion AME Church.
His long roster of celebrity patients included the likes of Quincy Jones, Ed McMahon, Lionel Richey, Carmen McRae, Toni Braxton, Eloise Laws, Bishop Charles E. Blake, the Whispers, Lola Falana, Jayne Kennedy, Sugar Ray Leonard, the Raiders and the Lakers. Though they did not hesitate to give Dr. Jackson credit for guiding them through serious health challenges, Dr. J always acknowledged that “I put you to sleep, but God woke you up.”
As in every life, there were valleys along with the mountain tops, but throughout his 88 years, Jackson kept the faith. He was a man who took his responsibility as a citizen of both heaven and earth seriously. His favorite scripture, Luke 12:48, was reflected in his work and life choices, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”
Jackson had a lifelong, active interest in the well-being of our nation’s young people. He was on the board of directors of the International Child Abuse Foundation. As president of his foundation, Romonk, Inc., his mission was to help young adults, especially those interested in medical careers, gain admission and financial assistance for colleges, universities and graduate schools. He served as a textbook consultant and career guidance counselor for the California Department of Education. He was personally responsible for training thousands of young doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals over the years.
Jackson was the first African American to serve as president of both the Los Angeles County Society of Anesthesiologists and the nation’s largest anesthesia society, the California Society of Anesthesiologists. During his tenure, he shepherded the programs and activities of nearly 3,000 anesthesiologists.
Under his leadership, the National Medical Association increased anesthesiologist participation by 900 percent. He was called on to be the keynote speaker of the African American Male Conference in Atlantic City and as commencement speaker for the Department of Anesthesia at Martin Luther King General Hospital in Los Angeles. Numerous groups honored him with lifetime honorary memberships.
Dr. Russell Thomas Jackson’s life was a life well-lived.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving to love, honor, and bless his memory are his beloved wife and life partner, Dierdre, his children and children in love: Russell (Lora) Jackson II, Traci Jackson Hopkins, Perry (Andrea) Parks IV, Steve (Tonya) Pemberton.
Grandchildren: Skyler Hopkins, James Hopkins, Kingston Bowie Jackson, Analiese Parks, Perry Parks V, Aria Parks, Anora Parks, Quinn Pemberton, Vaughn Pemberton, Kennedy Pemberton.
Siblings: Robert Jackson and Kenneth Jackson and sister-in-law Alvinette McCleave.
Godchildren: Cynthia Ball, Gavin Grayson, Gordon Grayson, Desiree Howe, Brian Ligon, Andrea Peaten, Vannette Perkins, Maureen Ramos, Michael Tanner.
His precious nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of dear ones and loving friends are honored to have shared his love, lessons, and journey.
A Celebration of Life to honor Dr. Jackson and his significant contributions will be held on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m. at Greater Mt. Zion AME Church, 1045 16th St. S, St. Petersburg. Services will be live-streamed on https://greatermtzioname.org/
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 19, from 3-7 p.m. at Lawson Funeral Home, 4535 Central Ave. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Omega Service at 6:30 p.m.
Interment: Monday, Jan. 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72 in Sarasota.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his honor be made to Meharry Medical College, 1005 Dr. DB Todd Jr. Blvd., Nashville, TN, 37208, or The Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 2240, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.
Final services are entrusted to Lawson Funeral Home.
