Robert Eric Jackson

1944 - 2024

Robert (Bob) Eric Jackson

June 9, 1944 - January 30, 2024

Nashville, Tennessee - Robert "Bob" Jackson of Matthews, NC, died peacefully, with his daughter and granddaughter by his side, on January 30, 2024. He was born on June 9, 1944 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Constance and Eric Jackson. He spent the last month of his life in Nashville, TN.

Bob started playing the cornet at age nine in the Salvation Army brass bands. He performed with The Salvation Army's New York Staff Band and was the cornet soloist for the New Jersey Youth Band's tour of Scandinavia in 1964. Mr. Jackson received a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in 1966, and a Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music in 1973.

Bob moved to North Carolina in 1968 to become a member of the Davidson College music faculty. He also joined the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and was the Principal Trumpet for thirty-four years until his retirement in 2002. Mr. Jackson was a member of the CSO Board of Directors from 1992-2002. He also served on the Arts and Science Task Force which established the Endowment for the Arts.

Following his retirement from the symphony, Bob formed a large volunteer brass choir that played regularly in Charlotte area churches. He also started the Bob Jackson Trumpet Studio where he had the opportunity to pass on his experience to young trumpet students, many of whom achieved All-District and All-State band honors as well as went on to play in college programs (Stanford University Wind Symphony, University of South Carolina and Auburn Marching Bands, University of VA Jazz Ensemble, UNC, and more).

Mr. Jackson is survived by his daughter, Lauren Jackson Coplan and granddaughter Samantha Margaret Coplan of Nashville, TN; sisters Nancy Sampson and Kathy Tedford (Tom); niece Ashley O'Brien (Casey), nephews Jason Tedford, Eric Matthew Sampson (Katie) and Michael Tedford (Letitia); grandnieces Lorelei Tedford and Noelle O'Brien, and grandnephews Caleb Tedford and Bennett Sampson. Preceding him in death were his parents, his sister Karen Jackson Hanks, and his brother-in-law Eric Bennett Sampson.

A celebration of life service is being held at Matthews United Methodist Church (801 S. Trade St., Matthews, NC, 28105) on Saturday, May 4, with visitation (9:30am) preceding the 10:00am service. Reception to follow.

Memorial gifts may be directed to:

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (230 East Ohio St., Suite 304-500, Chicago, IL, 60611;

The Charlotte Symphony (First Citizens Bank Plaza, 128 S. Tryon Street, Suite 350 Charlotte, NC 28202);

Matthews United Methodist Church Music Department (801 S Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105);

Sardis Presbyterian Church Music Department (6100 Sardis Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270).