Richard N. Acker
Jackson
Richard N. "Dick" Acker was born August 11, 1923 in Selma, Alabama and graduated from Selma High School in 1941. Following military service in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in World War II, including service in the South Pacific, Philippines and Japan, he earned his B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Alabama in 1949. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi honorary scientific fraternity.
Following graduation, he moved from Alabama to Warren, Ohio, where he was employed by Packard Electric Division of General Motors Corporation for 33 years. He retired in 1982.
From 1949 to 1972, Mr. Acker held various positions at Packard Electric in engineering. production control, and manufacturing management. In 1972 he moved to Jackson, Mississippi to build, staff and manage Packard's new facilities in Clinton and Brookhaven, and in the late 1970's, its supplier network in Central Mississippi. The late Skip LeFauve, who served General Motors as the first president of its Saturn division, once described Mr. Acker as GM's "Architect of the Southern Strategy."
Mr. Acker was a member and ambassador of the Madison Chamber of Commerce SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), the Madison Square Redevelopment Authority, Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, and a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Jackson.
He was a past officer and/or board member of Goodwill Industries, United Way, Keep Jackson Beautiful, Junior Achievement of Mississippi, Mississippi Manufacturers' Association, Jackson and Clinton Chambers of Commerce, Mississippi Prison Industries Advisory Council, the United Negro College Fund, and was the first Chairman of the Mississippi Board of Vocational and Technical Education.
Mr. Acker was a member of the University of Alabama Capstone Engineering Society and in 1987 was honored by being named an Outstanding Fellow by the University of Alabama Department of Industrial Engineering.
He was named Executive Director of the Jackson Enterprise Center when it was established in 1987, devoting his time to job creation and small business development through the Jackson Enterprise Center small business incubator, which was named Incubator of the Year on June 6, 1995 by the National Business Incubator Association at its annual conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. He retired from the Jackson Enterprise Center in 1999.
On June 10, 1998, Mr. Acker was inducted into the Packard Electric Division of General Motors Hall of Fame in Warren, Ohio.
On May 19, 2003, Mr. Acker was inducted into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame.
Mr. Acker was married to Louise "Lou" Acker on September 4, 1948 and the marriage endured for 63 years until her death on November 4, 2011. He is survived by three sons, Steve of Madison, Rick and his wife Debbie of Prattville, Alabama, and Jim and his wife Teresa of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. He has 7 grandchildren—Warren and Ryan Acker of Brandon, Tristan, Shannon and Fallon Acker of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, Stacey Acker of Prattville, Alabama, Matthew Watts of Clinton, Mississippi, and several great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary of Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church with burial following in Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM Friday at Wright and Ferguson on High Street and after 9:30 AM Saturday in the Parlor at Galloway Church.
In lieu of flowers memorials should be made to The Simmons Arboretum, the MS Chapter of the Alabama Alumni Association Scholarship Fund or the charity or your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Ann
January 8, 2012
Rick, Jim and Steve please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Uncle Dick and Aunt Louise will truly be missed. Our family will never be the same without them. God's comfort be with you all.
Joan Mims Emmerich
January 1, 2012
i want to express my heartfelt sympathy to mr.ackers family and loved ones. he was certainly a man that was respected and admired. i pray that our lord will give you all comfort and peace at this very difficult time.
tina price
January 1, 2012
My sympathy is extended to Dick's son as well as his extended family. Dick was first, a life-long acquaintance, then friend and for a short-time a roommate at the University of Alabama.
His friendly on-line chats of recent years will be missed.
Joe McKnight
Columbus, OH
December 31, 2011
I want the Acker family to know that I adored Dick and Lou, as did everyone else I know. They both gave so much to the City of Jackson, and community. Mr. Acker, I am sure he was a mentor to many young people, including their sons. He had such a gentle manner and non- judgemental attitude. I will miss him and hearing his voice, the voice so kind that emitted wisdom and kindness. love Joyce Russell Splain. I pray for comfort for the Acker family in the loss of their father, and grandfather.
December 31, 2011
To my cousins, I want you to know how saddened I am about the loss of Uncle Dick and Aunt Louise. They were two very special people in my life. The love they had for one another was very special. I feel very blessed to have had them in my life. God bless you all and know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Much Love, Cindy Kahn McClain and family
December 31, 2011
My deepest sympathies to the Acker Family. Mr. Acker was genuine. He amazed me by knowing everybody's name when he would walk through the plants. Mr. Acker will be truly missed by all and well remembered. Thanks so much for your professionalism and kindness to us all. I am so honored that Mr. Acker allowed me to be a part of his business and life. Rest in Peace my dear FRIEND.
Franz Barnes
December 31, 2011
Mr.Acker was a real visionary and truly a class act. He had such a positive impact on so many people both on a proffessional and a personal level.My Father Ed Zuga had the upmost respect for Dick as a boss and mentor. My family will be forever grateful that we had the good fortune to be a part of Dick's Mississippi team.
Our condolences to the family as I know 2011 has been a difficult year.
.
John E Zuga Jr
December 30, 2011
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to your family. Mr. Acker was such an influential person in our father, Ed Zuga's, life. He was a mentor and true friend to Ed. You are in our prayers. Love, the Zuga family
December 30, 2011
We had the greatest respect for Mr. Acker. We enjoyed working with he and Rick. He will be greatly missed both personally and professionally. Our prayers are with his family.
Dwayne & Arlyn Barrett
December 30, 2011
My heartfelt sympathy to the family of Dick Acker. Mr. Acker was loved and respected by so many. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to know Mr. Acker. You are all in my prayers. God bless & comfort you all.
Sandi Hardy
December 30, 2011
The Acker Family: May God's Love, Comfort, and Strength be with all of you. Mr. Acker was a wonderful friend to many people and my life was Blessed as "one" of these people. May God Bless All Of You!
Martha Oakman
December 30, 2011
To the family of Richard Acker, Hello, my name is Tom Costantino...I am a former chldhood playmate of Jim Acker...when we were growing up on Genesee Ave. in Warren, Ohio.....I just want to say I am sorry for both of your losses...may your cup runneth over with God's comfort through Christ Jesus during your time of mourning...take good care and God bless to you all.
Tom Costntino
December 30, 2011
My memory from early childhood is a close friendship with the Ackers. Our prayers are with your family at this sad time.
Dick Norton Selma
December 30, 2011
Mr. Acker was one great person and surely will be missed by everyone. I lived next to his son Rick and was able to see Mr. Acker now and then over the years. To Rick: I miss you guys.
coulonge ronald
December 30, 2011
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
The Staff of Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home
December 30, 2011
May the Lord watch over the family of a very loving and talented man. The world has lost a very great individual and he will be greatly missed by those of us who knew and loved him.
Barry Kelly
December 30, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Norman Bennett
December 30, 2011
A real community leader and friend/advisor. You will be missed.
Carol Burger
December 30, 2011
I had the honor of knowing Dick during his tenure with Packard Electric in Clinton. Dick then worked with the Jackson Enterprise Center which was part of the Irby Companies and I was honored to work with Dick during this time.
Dick was a TRUE AMERICAN, an outstanding businessman, a dedicated family man and a fellow Christian.
Many of us remember with pleasure his famous letters to the editor, always right on point.
We have been blessed to share in the lives of Dick and Lou Acker. They will be sorely missed. Our prayers are with the family.
Liles Williams
December 30, 2011
I talked to Dick about three weeks ago after Louise's death. Bobbie and I were shocked to read of his passing in the Warren Tribune obits this morning. Dick was my number one mentor.
Dick Huibregtse
December 30, 2011
May you find comfort from the God of All Comfort.
December 30, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Georgia S. Berry
December 30, 2011
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