Dr. Crawford Gardner Jackson Jr.

JACKSON JR., PhD CRAWFORD GARDNER Jan. 5, 1931 to Dec. 9, 2003 Dr. Crawford Gardner Jackson, Jr., was born January 5, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Crawford and Zelma Jackson. He received his Bachelor ' s Degree from Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, and his Master ' s and PhD degrees from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He also served as an officer in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. Dr. Jackson and his family moved to San Diego in 1974 when he was appointed Managing Editor for the journals of the Ecological Society of America. In the late 1970s, he served as Curator of Herpetology and Acting Director of the San Diego Natural History Museum. He was appointed Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at National University in 1980, and retired as Professor in 1992. During his career, he published over 50 scientific papers and conducted landmark research on the natural history of turtles and other species. During his years at National University, he taught statistics, ecology, and biology courses to several thousand students, always with humor, practicality, and his infamous ``fishing pole pointer ' ' and white lab coat. He was also instrumental in establishing National University ' s first Bachelor ' s Degree program for Registered Nurses. On December 9, Dr. Jackson died of a massive stroke, surrounded by family and friends close to him. He was 72 years old. He will be remembered as a proud father, excellent teacher, fine researcher, and devoted, kind, and generous friend who always went out of his way to help others. He is survived by his son, Crawford Gardner Jackson III, of Orange County, and his former wife and dear friend, Marguerite Jackson Dill of Escondido. A private Celebration of his Life was held on Saturday, December 13, and burial will be in Port Angeles, Washington, December 16. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Crawford Jackson Memorial Fund, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD, La Jolla, CA 92093-0210. Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com