Vincent Jackson

To the Jackson family I am so sorry for your loss. Like Carolyn, I first met Vince when I started with IBM Charlotte in 1981. I was fresh out of college and ready to take on the world when I encountered the seasoned IBM veteran Vince. He was a department manager and while I did not work directly for him he was always willing to provide advice and pass along his experience. In my first years in IBM he truly taught me the ropes on so many things. He knew the people to get to know and those to avoid including some of the "coasters". There was always a calm about him regardless of what seemed like a big problem or issue to others Vince just had a cool about him. He was a real storyteller and often had several of us in his office taking us back to his early days in IBM and his athletic days. I still remember his new station wagon that he was so proud of with the wood paneling. Despite living in Charlotte for some time he often said he only knew how to get to 3 places - Home, IBM, Slugs restaurant and I think it was actually true. It is hard to imagine it has been 30 years since those first days with IBM and meeting Vince. While my wife Donna and I moved away from Charlotte in 1989 and we lost track of Vince there were many times over the years we would have flashbacks to memories of a "Vince Jackson moment" and it always brought a smile to our face.

Vince truly was a mentor and friend. He made a real difference in my life by taking a chance on me early in my career. My thoughts and prayers to the entire Jackson family.

To the Jackson Family, I met Vince when I first started at IBM Charlotte in 1981. He was a great mentor and friend to me as I started my career. He taught me about life at IBM, and I taught him about life in North Carolina and what southern sayings really meant. My husband and I lived in a house built in 1905 and Vince asked for a picture of the house because he said it reminded him of a house he grew up in and he could remember " three Jackson brothers in the corner pocket" of the wrap around porch. We also connected over college basketball and my beloved Carolina Tar Heels. I won the NCAA Championship pool in 1982 was treated to dinner at one of Vince's favorite restaurants, Slug's. Vince was passionate about the things he cared about, and I have many fond memories of his descriptions of his athletic abilities, and his experiences at IBM.

I am sorry for your loss and will think of you as you move through this time of grieving Vince's loss and celebrating his life.

To the Jackson Family, I first met Vince when we were both employees at IBM Charlotte. He was so very kind and encouraging to me. I was having a hard time with my relocation to Charlotte, and Vince was just so wonderful to me. He was indeed a perfect gentleman and great friend. Although I have not seen him in several years, he is always in my memory. He will be missed. May God wrap his loving arms around you all. Sincerely, Patti Matys

To the Jackson family,

I am so sorry for your loss. I work at BG and was very fond of your brother. In fact I used to call him Mr. "J". I used to enjoy hearing all his stories about upstate NY as I am from that area also. He will be missed. I won't be able to look at a summer tomato without thinking of him. Please find peace knowing that he was very comfortable in his last few hours as I visited him. May the peace of God be with you all.

Sincerely,

Debbie Bielecki