Jackson County EMA Director Passed
By Sherri Blevins
Felix Jackson, Jackson County EMA Deputy Director, passed away suddenly on Monday, October 21, 2019, after experiencing a medical emergency. According to news reports, Jackson was visiting his girlfriend and her mother Monday night after work. After experiencing difficulties, he collapsed. Jackson’s girlfriend, who is a nurse, immediately administered CPR, and he was transported to Highlands Hospital in Scottsboro, where he was pronounced dead. Reportedly, Jackson had worked that day, making no complaints to his colleagues about feeling ill or suffering from health issues. Community members have been in shock at the report of his passing.
Jackson, a Stevenson resident, was in the second graduating class
of North Jackson High School, graduating in 1990. He attended Stevenson High School from
1984-1987 and completed his high school career at North Jackson. He loved his school, and the school
reciprocated the feelings. The following
is a quote from the North Jackson High School Facebook page:
“The spirit of a Chief can never leave when he’s etched his mark
on the tribe. North Jackson High School
is so saddened to tell one of our Chiefs goodbye. Just two weeks ago, he was representing his
alma mater by riding on the Class of 1990 float in the homecoming parade. He was so full of excitement that night as he
yelled out chants and did the tomahawk chop. He said he wanted all the kids to know and
understand true North Jackson Pride. Pride
doesn’t live in just our hallways; it lives in people like Felix Jackson. Your legacy is never-ending, Felix…”
After high school, Jackson attended the University of Alabama,
where he was a member of the Crimson Tide football team. For the past ten years, he has given his time,
energy, and love to protect the citizens of Jackson County as a part of the
Jackson County EMA. For the past two
years, Jackson led the organization as Deputy Director. The people he worked with each day described
him this way in a post on the Jackson County EMA Facebook page, “We are
devastated. Felix felt personally
responsible for the safety of the 53,000 residents of Jackson County and worked
tirelessly to do what was best for them. Please keep his family in your prayers in the
coming days.”
He was loved and respected by many in the community, not just
those he worked with each day. Ginger Kimball, Office Manager for North Jackson
Press, spoke fondly of Jackson. Kimball
considered Jackson to be more than a friend. She thought of him as a brother. Kimball attended school with Jackson from
kindergarten through high school graduation. She stated, “His love was unconditional. He gave the best hugs. I was very fortunate to have not a friend, but
a brother that I could always count on.”
I had the opportunity to meet Deputy Director Jackson at the
Bridgeport City Council meeting earlier this year. I was very impressed with his professionalism
and passion for his career. He seemed to
take his job and the safety of the citizens of Jackson County very seriously. He will be missed.
In a news report on WAFF 48 representatives for the Jackson,
County EMA wanted to ensure the public that their safety is not in jeopardy. A spokesperson stated, “If you live in Jackson
County, everybody associated with the EMA’s office wants to make sure you know
that although Felix has died, there is a team of volunteers who are going to be
working around the clock to help fill his void and keep you safe when there is
severe weather.”
