Jack Schweitzer

1935 - 2021

Jack Schweitzer

Jackson - Long-time Jackson, Mississippi resident, Jack Schweitzer, 85, passed away on April 18, 2021, after a lengthy battle with dementia.

Mr. Schweitzer was born September 19, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri to Albert and Eleanor Schweitzer. Jack was a charismatic and intelligent child and a voracious reader. He attended St. Louis University where he majored in Radio and Television. He met his beloved wife, Tessie, who preceded him in death, in St. Louis where their life together began after marrying in 1964. In 1970, he was hired as the announcer for Mississippi's first PBS affiliate in Jackson. Jack truly became the voice of Mississippi Educational Television, later to be known as MPB. From the late 1970's until his retirement in 2003, he produced and hosted a weekly interview show, "Access," later renamed "Open Air." This is where Jack shined. Or, more aptly, where he let his interviewees shine.

Jack was a warm and kind-hearted man who will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by an older brother, Albert L. Schweitzer, Jr., his daughters, Nancy Schweitzer Polidi (Ari) and Margaret Schweitzer Tucker (Kevin) as well as his beloved grandsons, Adam and Ethan Polidi.

Services will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 10:00 am at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. The Cathedral will be open at 9:00 am.