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In memory of

Thomas "Tom" Lee Jackson

New Orleans, LA

October 29, 1939 - October 25, 2021

Oct 29, 1939 - Oct 25, 2021

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Thomas Lee (Tom) Jackson, died on October 25, 2021 just short of his 82nd birthday at St. Anna's at Lambeth House in New Orleans after an extended illness. He was a loving husband and father dedicated to his family and is survived by his beloved wife of over sixty-two years, Patricia Nolan Jackson, his four beloved daughters, Wendy Jackson Forrest (Richard), Rebecca Jackson Leone (Dean), Theresa Jackson Phillips and Sandra Jackson Jones (Jeff), seven beloved grandchildren: Amanda Kurz Smith, Hope Kurz Everett (Bryan), Jessie Nodurft McKissick, Sara Phillips Privet (Tyler), Taylor Joseph Phillips, Jeffrey Lee Jones and Daniel Nolan Jackson Jones and eight beloved great grandchildren: Madden McKissick, Charlotte Smith, Quinn Privet, Garison Everett, Finnley McKissick, Thomas Smith, Jackson Everett, and River Privet. He was predeceased by his parents Marion Frances Jackson, Jr. and Dorris Lambremont Jackson and his older brother James N. Jackson and survived by five sisters: Marion J. White, Dorris J. Counce (Edward), Margaret J. Johnson (David), Elizabeth Jackson and Judy J. Lecke and two brothers: Michael G. Jackson (Cheryl) and Robert G. Jackson (Lizette) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom was born in New Orleans. He grew up and lived in Metairie until he moved to New Orleans in 2016. After graduating from De La Salle High School in 1957 he enrolled in Civil Engineering at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; he temporarily deferred his education after his sophomore year to marry Patricia Nolan in June of 1959. After settling down in married life with four children, Tom transferred to Tulane University School of Engineering where he graduated at the top of his class with a Bachelor Degree as the Outstanding Civil Engineering Graduate, then earned a Masters Degree in Engineering. He later served as President of the Society of Tulane Engineers.

Tom was a highly respected engineer on the local, state and national level licensed to practice civil engineering in five states. He was very active in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) for which he served as President of the Louisiana Section, Chairman of the Regional Council, and the 2001-2002 National ASCE President as well as serving as chair of numerous other ASCE committees. Tom was Chairman of the Board of the ASCE Foundation, a member of the ASCE Environmental Water Resources and of the ASCE Transportation Institutes. He received the ASCE William H. Wisely – American Civil Engineer Award, the ASCE Louisiana Section ASCE Lifetime Achievement Award and was named Outstanding Civil Engineer by the ASCE New Orleans Branch.

Tom was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Louisiana Engineering Society and a Charter Member of the Board of the Louisiana Engineering advancement Program for Minorities, Inc (LEAP). He served on the Board of the Civil Engineering Research Foundation and as Chair of the Board of the United Engineering Foundation.

Tom was a member of the American Red Cross Southeast Louisiana Chapter's Committee for Evaluation of Hurricane Evacuation in the New Orleans area. Following Hurricane Katrina, he was appointed to the Louisiana Recovery Authority Transportation & Infrastructure Task Force and also to a committee of international experts which provided Peer Review of the Federal Government investigation of "Why the Levees Failed During Katrina". In 2007 Tom was appointed to the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East, serving as its first president and subsequently served a four year term as a a Commissioner.

He authored papers on engineering ethics and on technical issues related to engineering liability which he presented at engineering colleges and at engineering/legal continuing education events. He co-authored an article with Ralph Kaskell, Jr., Esq. that was published in Defense Counsel Journal.

Tom was an avid, lifelong woodworker creating beautiful furniture, clocks and miniatures. He also was a parishioner of St. Benilde Catholic Parish and a member of Metairie Country Club for many years.

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