The SEGS Remembers Tom Jackson
Jan 31, 2010
Our SEGS President, Tom Jackson of Lakeland Florida, passed away on December 26, 2009 after a brief illness. Tom was recently elected to serve as the 2010 SEGS President, ascending from the office of Vice President where he served in 2008 and 2009, and was looking forward to an active year leading the society. Tom was 60 years old.
I first met Big Tom in 1984 when we were undergraduate students in the geology program at the University of South Florida in Tampa. We both graduated in 1986 after attending field camp together in New Mexico, and enjoyed travel experiences across the Southwest with our fellow geology classmates. After graduation Tom continued studying geology at USF and received his Masters degree before entering the work force. He was active for nearly two decades working in private sector consulting and for regulatory divisions at both the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. I stayed in contact with Tom through work associations, and more recently with the SEGS, and we shared mutual interests in hydrogeology and Florida’s natural and cultural history.
Tom was passionate about Florida history pertaining to state water law and the effects of human impacts on Florida’s rivers and aquifers. As a Polk County native, and a lifelong resident of Lakeland, he was deeply concerned about the diminished hydrologic condition and ecology of the Peace River. Most troubling to him was the historical disruption of baseflow in the Upper Peace River from losses of spring discharge to the river due to groundwater extractions, which is especially evident at the historic Kissengen Spring site. While Tom was always pragmatic about the slim prospects of seeing Kissengen Spring flow again, he remained optimistic to the end that it could be possible to restore flow to the spring. One of his favorite sayings in this regard was, “Just follow the science”, and I think Tom was always pretty good at doing that. We will all miss Tom, his sincerity, kindness, and thoughtful insights about geology.
Dave DeWitt, SEGS President
To President Dave DeWitt: I appreciated reading this heartfelt tribute to Tom. Yes, he will be missed and I expect the spirit of his selflessness will continue to be woven into the fabric or Florida’s geological community. Thank you.
Thanks Jon, and I’m sure the SEGS will be moving forward in the spirit of Big Tom. We will be discussing a couple items at the upcoming Society meeting that hopefully will be a lasting tribute to Tom and his love of geology. Hope to see you there. Dave
Tom was my Teaching Assistant in the lab/practical class associated with the first Geology course that I took at USF in 1987. His stories about riding the rails and hiking in Copper Canyon, Mexico have remained an inspiration for my travels “off the beaten path” over the years. He was passionate about his geologic/hydrologic/environmental causes, as well as his woodworking and master craftsmanship. A true Florida Cracker who bled sour orange juice & spring water. He will be missed, but he touched many lives and will live on in the continued passions of the several generations that he touched with his strength and vision. Rest easy, Tom…. “Let Us Alone!”
Thanks for the post Cliff, and Tom was also my teaching assistant of sorts, but it was after we got out of school! I always appreciated his stories about old Florida (before either of us were around) and a bit of lament over the changes that had already occurred, and inevitably were to come. Never dwelling on that, but living in the here and now, and ever aware that different points of view could make a difference and sometimes enlighten folks. It was said by an old friend of Tom’s at his memorial service that Tom never raised his voice in anger, and in the time that I knew him I can’t recall that ever happening either.
I knew Tom from Jr. High School until graduation from Lakeland High, but became a close friend in the late 90s when he introduced me to the wonders of geology and many of the wonderful people and places that come with that subject. Tom left a mighty big mold to fill, but also provided a great model of character on how to go about it. Tom lives on in the hearts and spirits of his family and friends, and the world is a better place because he was here. I am very thankful to know some of Tom’s friends, his family, and to also have the privelege to say I knew this great person.