John E. "Johnny" Jackson IV

John E. Jackson IV, a devoted manager for the Commander's Palace family of restaurants, died peacefully in the embrace of his family on August 26 after a long, courageous battle against cancer. He was 37. "Johnny," as he was called by his many friends and loving family, was a native and lifelong resident of New Orleans. He graduated from Brother Martin High School and attended Delgado College and the University of New Orleans. A talented artist who brought joy and hope to all who knew him, Johnny generously shared his many artistic creations with family and friends. "Johnny's strength and courage in the face of adversity inspired all who knew him," said his aunt and uncle, Margo and Clancy DuBos, former owners of Gambit newspaper. "Even as he battled cancer, he constantly reminded those around him that life was good and should always be celebrated." Johnny began his career in the restaurant business in 2007 when he joined the staff of Café Adelaide as a server. His enthusiasm and attention to detail were quickly noticed by his employers, who encouraged him to seek a management position. Before long, Johnny rose through the ranks to become a manager, first at Café Adelaide and later at Commander's Palace. He overcame his first bout with cancer and couldn't wait to return to the work he loved. When the cancer returned, he maintained his faith that he would recover and return once again to Commander's. "John Jackson was one of the best waiters we ever had," said Commander's co-proprietor Ti Martin, "so much so that we eventually convinced him to become a manager. From the start, he 'got it.' He understood, lived and preached hospitality. He was in an elite group of people whom we admired and trusted to make the thousands of decisions big and small that affect the end result our guests' experience. And beyond that, he was an example to so many because he was a self-made man. His knowledge, integrity, and work ethic were at the top of the heap. He earned our trust and respect the hard way. He was what my mother and I call a true 'restaurant man.' To us, that meant a great deal - and Johnny knew what that meant." Johnny met his perfect match in Lindsay Campbell, and they were married in 2012. Johnny's infectious charm and strength were the perfect complement to Lindsay's perpetual good nature and wit. Johnny was preceded in death by his grandparents, John E. Jackson Jr. and Lily Groover Jackson of New Orleans. He is survived by his devoted wife, Lindsay Campbell Jackson of New Orleans; his son, John E. "Buddy" Jackson V of New Orleans and daughter, Sky Rae Jackson of Smyrna, DE; his father and step-mother, John E. Jackson III and Mary Jackson of Zachary, LA; his mother and step-father, Elizabeth and Gary Kinkella of Metairie; his brother, sister-in-law and niece, Logan and Sara Jackson and Olivia Jackson of Shreveport, LA; his sisters, Madeline Jackson of Beaverton, OR and Hayley Jackson of Wilmington, DE; his grandparents, Dan and Marylynn Judlin of Metairie; his father-in-law, Ed Campbell of Natchitoches, LA; his mother-in-law, Renee Hoffpauir of Houston, TX; his grandmother, Rosalie Clinton Jackson of Bossier City, LA; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Visitation will begin at noon on Thursday, Sept. 6 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, followed by a funeral service in the chapel at 1 p.m. Interment for family and friends will follow the service in Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Support for People with Oral, Head & Neck Cancer (www.SPOHNC.org).