Rodney Smith Jackson, October 5, 1920 – July 13, 2006.Rodney Smith Jackson of Chicago, IL. passed away quietly after a short illness at South Shore Hospital on Thursday morning July 13, 2006. Rodney was diagnosed with ALS in February and suffered a stroke in March. He was 85 years old. Rodney was the eldest son of the late Benjamin Elmer Jackson and the late Olga Jane Smith Jackson. He was a life time resident of Chicago, having grown up in the Englewood Community. Rodney retired from the Board of Education Bureau of Architecture after more than 30 years service. He was a WWII Veteran serving in the 301st Fighter Squadron, “The Tuskegee Airmen.” He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and The Chicago Assembly. Rodney was a long time member of Salem Lutheran Church. Rodney was predeceased by his wife of 57 years Leola Wesley Jackson. He is survived by his daughter Joyce Kathleen “Kathy” Jackson Granger and her spouse Augustus Turpin Granger; grandchildren Richard Augustus Granger and spouse Audrey Reed-Granger, Captain Bryan Wesley Granger USAF, and spouse, Captain Dana Lynne Hanson Granger USAF, and William Rodney Randolph Granger; three great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 22, 2006, at Salem Lutheran Church 74th and S. Calumet Avenue at 11 a.m. A private family internment will occur at a later time. In lieu of flowers his daughter requests a memorial be sent to the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Cremation arrangements made by Oehler Funeral Homes, Des Plains, IL 60004, tel 847-824-5155.
