The Shenango Valley area lost a wonderful community leader and gentleman with the passing of Toby Jackson nearly two weeks ago on Feb. 25. He was 90 years old and experienced a remarkable life, always ready to share his knowledge and wisdom with both community groups and individuals who sought it.
He and wife, Dorothy, were an active part of the community, and had been mainstays throughout the years at Farrell home basketball games. Their grandson, David, whom Toby reared, is a junior at Penn State University. In the four years that David played at Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage, Toby and family ardently followed his career there.
Toby was a member of many community and church organizations, was a Navy veteran who served during World War II at Pearl Harbor, and was a silent leader for everyone, especially African Americans, in our community. He led by example, and his good deeds have created the legacy that he leaves behind.
He was of much greater substance than simply his memberships in the organizations that were listed in his obituary. It was his character and commitment to striving to do the right thing that made him a role model for so many others.
He and Dorothy were the ideal subjects for The Herald’s regular publication of Life Stories, written by local author Joe Zentis of Green Street Press in Hermitage. They were featured in one of his stories in The Herald two years ago, and it was a fascinating account of their lives.
It was in 1972 that Toby was named to the Farrell Area School Board, and three years later, he became the first African American elected to the board. He held the position for nine years.
I received a tribute to Toby from local historian and writer Roland Barksdale-Hall. He recounts Mr. Jackson’s days in Eufaula, Ala., the birthplace of his father as well, and the challenges black men faced to mature and develop. He notes Mr. Jackson’s many examples of community service, and how he became established as a minority community leader.
According to Roland’s tribute, although Mr. Jackson faced many challenges in Eufaula in his youth, he and Roland’s father “held no bitterness of the past and strove to help others elevate themselves in life. Race never was used as an excuse ... It was out of a deep abiding Christian faith commitment that he served the community and established an impeccable record of service in the Shenango Valley.
“When I was disabled and returned back home, Mr. Jackson came to our home and repaired the porch and trap door and installed the hot water. He would only allow me to reimburse him for the materials and refused to accept a cent for his labor. He did the work of the Lord quietly and without fanfare and would be ashamed to know that I am telling this story. He was a talented tradesman, active in Habitat for Humanity, and helped many in the neighborhood.
“In recent times, when I needed help with research on my book, ‘African Americans in Mercer County,’ Toby and his wife Dorothy Jackson shared life stories, called friends and pored through countless photos for me at their home. Mr. Jackson is an example of a generation of man that was evident around me in my youth. I am thankful to have known him. He used what God gave him to serve others throughout this life.”
The community will miss Toby and his commitment to improve it, but the Shenango Valley is a better place because of him and the imprints that he left will serve as an inspiration for others.
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Jim Raykie is the editor of The Herald and his column appears on Mondays. His e-mail is jraykie@sharonherald.com or follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JimRaykie
