Dr. B. Franklin Jackson, the founder of Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama, passed away peacefully with his wife of nearly 70 years at his side on Friday, July 11, 2008, at the age of 95. Graveside services will be 11 a.m.Thursday, July 17, at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama.
Dr. Jackson was born October 13, 1912, in Clayton, Alabama, to Dr. B. F. Jackson, Sr., and Saidee Truett Jackson. Dr. Frank moved to Montgomery at age seven. After graduating from Sidney Lanier High School, he attended Vanderbilt University and then the University of Alabama Medical School, which was at that time only a two-year program. He finished his medical degree and internship at New York University Medical School in 1936. He married Kathleen Flanagan in 1939. He returned to Montgomery to open a private practice but was temporarily interrupted by military duty as a flight surgeon in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
Upon his return home, seeing the need to expand healthcare services, he joined forces with his father, his brother, and the other founders to open Jackson Hospital. An advocate of the public school system, he was elected to six terms on the Montgomery County Board of Education, serving from December 1966 until November 1990.
"Dr. Frank," as he was affectionately known by his patients and co-workers, was a compassionate boss, a caring physician, and a skilled surgeon. At the age of 89, he was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame. He treated every individual with respect. He built his practice and the hospital with the cooperation of all segments of the Montgomery community and the surrounding rural areas.
"Frank," as he was known to all his family, was a loving husband; a great provider; an exemplary father; and a modest, generous person. He lived his Christian beliefs every day, especially what Jesus said in Mark, Chapter 10, verses 35-45. In these verses, His disciples asked Jesus which of them were His favorites. Jesus told them that the Gentiles lord it over their people. "But it shall not be like this among you: whosoever will be great among you, shall be your servant. And whosoever of you will be the greatest, shall be the servant of all."
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Grace Langford Jackson; and brother, Dr. Truett Jackson.
Dr. Jackson is survived by his wife, Kathleen Flanagan Jackson;
His sons, B. Franklin "Biff" Jackson, III (Carolyn), of Montgomery, Alabama; Dr. Dennis M. Jackson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Stephen Flanagan Jackson (Marina) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Robert B. Jackson (Debora) of Clayton, Alabama; and Randy T. Jackson (Teka) of Austin, Texas;
His grandchildren, Ben F. Jackson, IV (Trina) of Telluride, Colorado; Brent T. Jackson (Avalyn) of Atlanta, Georgia; Kathleen E. Merritt (Jason) of Telluride, Colorado; Devon and Kyle Jackson of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Truett, Keenan, Dailey, and Chandley Jackson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Jesse and Adam Jackson of Athens, Georgia; Tara Sidonio (Robert) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Brady Jackson of Alameda, California; Stella Jackson of Birmingham, Alabama; Will Jackson of Clayton Alabama; and Margaret and Randall Jackson II of Austin, Texas;
His great-grandchildren, Zane and Frank Jackson V, of Telluride, Colorado; Chandler and Tyler Jackson of Atlanta, Georgia; Townes Merritt of Telluride, Colorado; Green Jackson Sidonio of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
His sisters, Margaret Jackson Steffen (Ed) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ann Jackson of Lexington, Kentucky.
His nieces are Marty Frame of Macon, Georgia; Melinda Fogle of Duluth, Georgia; Marcia Belcher of Montgomery, Alabama; Madeline Jackson of Montgomery, Alabama, and Kim Minchey of Ackworth, Georgia.
His lone nephew is Read Crawford of Huntsville, Alabama.
Pallbearers will be Ben F. Jackson, IV, Brent T. Jackson, Kyle Jackson, Truett Jackson, Keenan Jackson, Jesse Jackson, Adam Jackson, Brady Jackson, Will Jackson, Randall Jackson, II, and Devon Jackson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to
Jackson Hospital Foundation
1725 Pine Street
Montgomery AL 36106
Leak-Memory Chapel Directing.
Funeral Home: LEAK MEMORY
Publication Date: 07/16/2008
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/montgomeryadvertiser/name/frank-jackson-obituary?pid=156314616