Seymour Tribune - September 2008 Byron Keith Jackson Byron Keith Jackson, 87, Fairmont, W.Va., passed away Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008, at Fairmont General Hospital. Mr. Jackson grew up in Indianapolis where he attended George Washington High School. Together with a group of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity members from Indiana University, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and served at Saipan, Okinawa and the occupation of Japan. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Butler University, his Master of Arts Degree from the University of Miami and his Ph.D. from the University of Florida, he taught English at Auburn University, Athens College and Parsons College before becoming chairman of the Division of Language and Literature at Fairmont State College, where he served from 1968 to 1986. He was an innovative chairman at the college, bringing in the language lab, the writing center and speakers such as Richard Chase, Davis Grubb and John Knowles. He started the Spanish program and the first study tours abroad, personally leading tours to countries from Ireland to Greece. He was instrumental in reviving the West Virginia Folklore Society and was business manager of the West Virginia Folklore Journal. He expanded the English honor society, Sigma Tau Delta, and was host for it annually in his home, continuing for 18 years after his retirement. Born Oct. 24, 1920, in Jackson County, he was the son of Ray C. and Jennie McNiece Jackson. He married Mary Esther Guidone Jackson, who preceded him in death. Survivors include a brother, Kenneth V. (Thea M.) Jackson, Harlingen, Texas; a brother-in-law, Sam Early, Indianapolis; nieces and nephews, Pamela and Joe Garnbino, Kerrville, Texas, Richard A. and Karen Jackson, Remington, Va., Paul V. Jackson, Richmond, Va., Barbara A. (Jackson) Jewel and Thomas David Jewel, Silver Springs, Md., Phillip Hardwick, Donald G. "Hap" Malcolm Jr., New Haven, Conn., and Vicki and Jeff Smoot, Greenwood. He was preceded in death by a sister, Norma Lois, and her husband, Donald Malcolm Sr. The family wished to thank Byron's dedicated physician, Dr. Peter Ang, and caregivers who tended during his illness, particularly Kelli Frye and Brandi Gill. Special thanks are extended to his friends, Tom and Judy Drake and George and Judy Byers, who helped keep him in his home during this period. The Rev. Richard Bowyer conducted funeral services Sept. 30 at the R.C. Jones Chapel, Fairmont, W.Va. Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday at Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown. Local arrangements are being handled by Winklepleck-Weesner Funeral Home, Brownstown.