Many thanks for remembering my dearly missed, late colleague. Here is the notice that I wrote (with kind assistance from John's Brother (also named John) and the great Tom Davis of Brooks Brothers 346 Flagship:


J. Press, Inc. mourns the loss of John Jackson, one of its Senior Sales Associates, who died suddenly on Thursday, September 28, 2006.

Despite having battled a long illness, you could always find John on the job: “Jackson here” said a familiar voice heard on the telephone, deftly fielding carriage-trade requests from around the world.

Jackson, as he was affectionately known by his colleagues, was a well-known face at Press for the last 10 years. Prior to that, he spent
33 years at Brooks Brothers’ flagship store on Madison Avenue.

Starting in 1963 during the golden age of Brooks, Mr. Jackson began his career in the stockroom surrounded by thousands of oxford button-down shirts. But there was more in store for him, something Peter Lawford recognized when the famous actor once demanded to the Brooks management that Mr. Jackson receive credit on a sale he assisted with even though he was a stock clerk at the time.

He later made history with his promotion to the ‘University Shop’ Department as a salesperson. It made him the first African-American ever appointed to a selling position at Brooks Brothers. There are generations of customers both at Brooks Brothers and J. Press who have considered John Jackson to be an integral member of their families’ lives.

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, one of John’s fondest childhood moments was meeting the great Joe Louis. Also, he proudly served his country in the United States Army. While Jackson was based in Germany during the early 1960’s, his meticulous personal style was so eye-catching that he often had to outrun Germans who actually wanted to buy the clothes off of his back. Always a dapper dresser throughout his life, he never lost the knack for maintaining his incredible spit-shined shoes nor did his posture ever lose its military bearing.

Mr. Jackson, also known as JJ, worked at the trade he knew best until just days before his untimely passing. Those who were his colleagues, friends and fellow Local 340 union members will never forget his uniquely strong handshake that often greeted us and, ultimately, left us as he said goodbye.

Visiting hours with John’s family were held on Wednesday, October  4th at the John J. Barrett & Son Funeral Home located at 424 West 51st Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues.

Last edited by steedappeal (2006-11-13 18:18:13)