WMA Taps

Colonel Ralph Borden Jackson, Sr. 80, died Sunday March 15, 1998, at 10:10a.m. at his residence following a short illness. He was born November 2, 1917 in Alton. He was the son of the late Colonel Ralph Leroy and Mary (Borden) Jackson. He married the former Ruth Cousens on June 12, 1951 in Brockville, Ontario Canada. She survives.
He graduated from Western Military Academy in 1935. He attended Princeton University and the University of Chicago. A master's degree was obtained from Washington University. As President and Superintendent of Western Military Academy from 1952 until 1971. Colonel Jackson stayed active in the community. He was a member of the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club, a commissioner for Bi-State Illinois-Missouri Development agency, Governor AAA Club of Missouri (Illinois Division), Board Member of Alton Memorial Hospital, Blue andGold Officer of the United States Navel Academy. Having been a life time member of the College Avenue Presbyterian Church, he served as an Elder and a Deacon. Following his retirement, he did substitute teaching in area schools. He is remembered by many for his kindness, generosity and love of people. He served in the United States Navy on active duty during World War II as a Lieutenant. Survivors include four children and their families, Susan and John Briley and their children, Christopher and Timothy of Platte City, Missouri, R. Borden (Bo) and Sue Jackson, and their children Gregory and Katherine of Godfrey, Andrew and Patricia Jackson and their child, James of Dallas, Texas, Nancy and William Krebs IV, and their children, William and Karl of Cary, North Carolina. Also surviving are two brothers, Charles Borden Jackson, Sr. of Alton, and William Andrew Jackson of Lafayette, California. He was preceded in death by a brother, Albert Mathews Jackson. His wife's name is Ruth. The address of the home is 720 Ramona Pl., Godfrey, IL 62035. For those desiring, Memorials may be made to the Abiding Memorial Fund of the College Avenue Presbyterian Church in Upper Alton.

The WMA Newsletter Cadets sent a wreath to Fine & Quinn Mortuary as a "Final Salute", Bob Keith '36 WMA Newsletter Publisher.