The BADA family mourns the loss of Keith Jackson 70. Reprinted with permission below are words Wallace Ford composed for Keiths eulogy. Please feel free to share your favorite memories of Keith in the comments section. Eulogy for Keith M. Jackson (1948-2014) By Wallace Ford I had the pleasure, good fortune and sheer enjoyment of being a friend of Keith Jackson for forty eight years. For nearly half a century I was witness to his aspirations, dreams, dramas and embracing of life with a ferocious romanticism that was remarkable. It is the truth that success, glory and recognition were predicted for Keith from an early age. It is the truth that in his high school yearbook he was called “Mr. All-Around Everything” because he was – student leader, athlete, accomplished in academics and, by all accounts, being the kind of person that you knew was special as soon as he walked into the room. From his days at Dartmouth to his final days in San Diego, Keith really did walk the earth like Cain – not because he was banished to wander, but rather because Keith knew that the world belonged to him and he belonged to the world. So it only made sense that he would take a tour of the lands that were his. Keith was funny, profane, energetic and smart. He literally could look into the future in seeing business and political trends that a lot of people could not even imagine. And it was that lack of imagination that deprived him of the platform that his vision deserved. But, to his everlasting credit, Keith simply never gave up, he never gave in and he always aspired to the greatness that was always his. For Keith it was always more about the journey than the destination. He knitted and wove a network of relationships that was astounding in its global scope and amazing in its infinite variety. From Chicago Brothers, to the Dartmouth Alumni, to gold miners in New Guinea, to residents of the halls of power in Washington, to the emerging markets of Africa to the very special Band of Brothers that was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, Keith Jackson was comfortable and welcome in all of those scenarios – almost as if the script was written for him to always be a star. It is easy to suppose that if Keith had taken a traditional career path he would have been wildly successful. But “Keith Jackson taking a traditional career path” is a maximum oxymoron. The “road well-traveled” rarely saw Keith’s footsteps, and the joy with which he engaged the improbable, the impossible and the fantastic was always an inspiration. Keith went to battle with his dreams as his sword and his faith in Keith Jackson as his shield. Warriors like Keith could never be a part of an army, but he was never alone –friends and family loved him and cared about him every step of the day until the day he died. Keith did not endure the physical challenges that came his way – he contested, he fought and always believed that he would prevail. He never complained and would not accept sympathy if it were offered. Illness was just another challenge for Keith, and he never believed that a challenge could exist that he could not overcome. I don’t think that it would be possible for anyone to meet Keith and not remember him. And it is said that Death has no power as long as there is someone to remember the person who has transitioned. I believe that to be true and I know that when it comes to Keith Milan Jackson, Death has no power because he will always be remembered by his son Khalil, he will be remembered by the Band of Brothers, the Chicago Brothers and by everyone who had the good fortune to walk a few miles along the road of life with him. After all, there is a reason he was called “Mr. All-Around Everything”. Rest in peace, my brother, a well-deserved peace. Until we meet again.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 21:09:36 +0000
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