William Ronald Jackson, better known as Ron, returned home to his Lord on April 22, 2022. Ron was born September 24, 1944 in Chattanooga, the son of Ray and Alice Jewell Jackson.

As a young boy, Ron enjoyed roaming the fields and fishing in the lakes on the family farm in Cleveland. As he got older, he began to wander farther from home while riding his horse, Thunder, with friends in the Prospect and Black Fox areas of Bradley County. This part of town is now covered in housing estates and busy roads, such as Keith Street and I-75.

Ron is a graduate of Arnold Elementary School in Cleveland and McCallie School in Chattanooga. He received his BBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. After college, he served his country in the Air National Guard.

Ron’s legacy is with his family business, Jackson Furniture Industries. In 1943, after the Great Depression, her parents moved to Cleveland when they purchased the Cleveland Chair Company. Beginning in 1961, Ron worked summers in the family business, learning to make chairs and “spitting tacks”, an art now lost in furniture making. In 1966 he began working full-time at the office, and in 1975 he was named president of the Jackson Manufacturing Company and the Cleveland Chair Company. Ron eventually became CEO when the companies merged with Jackson Furniture Industries. He was instrumental in developing the Pow’r Lounger for the company. Ron’s two main passions throughout his career were making quality, mid-priced furniture and creating meaningful jobs for employees. He felt very responsible for the welfare and financial security of the Jackson Furniture team. In 2012, Ron Jackson received his pin for 50 years of service to Jackson Furniture Industries; he continued to enjoy the work for many years.

Ron was a life member of the Broad Street United Methodist Church. During his summer vacation at the Hiwassee River, he attended Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, which his grandparents helped organize in Meigs County.

Ron was a longtime supporter of United Way of the Ocoee Region, the Museum Center at Five Points, and the Cleveland Bradley Public Library. He was a member of the American Furniture Manufacturer’s Association and served on the board of directors in the 1990s.

Work and family came first for Ron, but he enjoyed floating down the Hiwassee River while watching the eagles nest in the trees along the shore. He also enjoyed a vacation to Amelia Island, Florida. and hikes in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Quail hunting with fraternity brothers in South Georgia gave him a relaxing time with old friends. Weekly 15-mile runs gave Ron time to reflect and regroup for the future; he loved to race, especially on the roads of the county he always called home.

Ron inspired many as he coped with his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and cancer. He showed physical, mental and spiritual strength in the face of the devastation of these two diseases. Ron’s strong work ethic and courage served as an example to others.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sister-in-law, Sandy Shores Jackson.

He left to honor his memory his beloved wife of 53 years, Carolyn Bridgers Jackson, of Cleveland; son, Keith Jackson with his wife, Amanda Thompson Jackson, and grandchildren, Norris Jackson and Jilliam Jackson, all of Chattanooga; sister, Virginia Matheny and husband, Leo Matheny, of Cleveland; and brother, Roger Jackson, of Cleveland, and niece and nephews, Amy Matheny, of Chicago, Hank Matheny, of Cleveland, Tom Jackson, of Chattanooga and Mark Jackson, with daughters, Phoebe Jackson and Imogene Jackson, of San Angelo, Texas .

Her family is very grateful for the love shown to her by caregivers, Eva Connor, Shannon Grow and Carol Corun; and his doctors, Dr. Mahmood Siddiqui, Dr. Davy Daniel and Dr. Thomas Davis. He was blessed by his many friends who supported him with their thoughts and prayers during his long illnesses.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be given to Broad Street United Methodist Church or a charity of their choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, April 29 at 1 p.m. at Broad Street United Methodist Church, with Pastor Micah Nicolaus officiating; a reception will follow the service. A private interment will be held at Hilcrest Memorial Gardens, with a white dove release ceremony and bagpipe playing to conclude the service.

Send a message of condolence and view the Jackson family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com

Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of services.