Henry Woodrow Jackson

October 30, 1931 – October 26, 2024

Henry Woodrow Jackson, known to his friends and loved ones as “Woody”, passed away on October 26, 2024, at the age of 92 in a hospice facility in Covina, California, resulting from natural and age-related causes.

He was born on October 30, 1931, in Nassau, The Bahamas to the late Robert Jackson and Mary Louise (Watler) Jackson and migrated to the U.S. in 1933. One of five siblings, (the others being Mary, Theodore, Robert, and Sally), Woody was the middle child of a closely knit family, and raised primarily in Beaumont, Texas. Always a top student at every level in school, Woody set a good example to all those around him. As a focused and serious student, Woody decided early on to become a scientist. He was also blessed with clever wit and maintained close friendships throughout his life.

After serving honorably in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, during the Korean conflict, Woody continued his education in scientific studies. He embraced a highly concentrated education schedule, garnering a BA degree in mathematics and a BS degree in physics, both at the University of Texas in 1958, then followed by his PhD in physics from Washington University in St. Louise, in 1962. His certifications and patents within the field of theoretical physics are many and are recognized widely throughout the scientific community.

During his long and productive career, Woody was employed by Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, and was also a visiting consultant in many faculty and scholastic related venues. He was also a staff scientist at the Ford Motor Company, a professor of physics at North Texas State University, and a postdoctoral research associate at Washington University.

As a testament to his many achievements in science, Woody was inducted into the distinguished Marqui’s Who’s Who in America biographical publication’s 73rd edition in 2020, listing the country’s outstanding leaders and contributors in their chosen fields.

On April 25, 1987, Woody married Jean Ellen Olson, and remained happily married until her death on June 26, 2023. He is survived by three stepsons, Brent Nelson, Carl Nelson, and Warren Nelson, a niece, Kathy Purcell, and a nephew, Patrick Purcell. Woody is also survived by eight step grandchildren.

Woody’s various hobbies and interests included participation in sports in earlier years, where he became a strong swimmer, and an excellent volleyball player. In later years, he developed a strong ability in table tennis and maintained a friendly competition with his wife, Jeannie. Other pastimes included a profound ability in ballroom dancing, and in caring for his property in La Verne, California. Woody always had set high standards for maintenance performed on his property and always made sure things were done right. He also applied this approach to the cars he had, maintaining them to their highest possible standards.

Dr. Henry Woodrow Jackson will be remembered by the scientific community as a profound and important contributor to the advancement of theoretical physics. His work will continue to serve as a guideline for many projects and goals shared by physicists all over the world. In his final wishes, Woody elected to have cremation services with his ashes spread at sea.

He is profoundly respected and will be dearly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him personally. May his soul find eternal peace.

Henry Woodrow Jackson, age 92, of La Verne, California passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024.