Hight Jackson Associates founder Gary Jackson dies
Gary Wayne Jackson, founding partner of Rogers architecture and engineering firm Hight Jackson Associates, died Wednesday (Oct. 30) at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. He was 83.
Jackson was partner of architectural firm Charles W. Hight and Associates in Coffeyville, Kan., when he opened the branch office of Hight Jackson in Rogers in 1974. Over the past 50 years, Hight Jackson has offered architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design services across Northwest Arkansas and the neighboring states of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Jackson served as CEO for more than 35 years, transitioning to director in 2011. He retired in 2017.
The firm’s Northwest Arkansas clients comprise multiple cities and public school districts, Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. Recent projects include the Crystal Bridges expansion, a 30,000-square-foot adult recreation center in Bentonville, terminal renovations and a new control tower at XNA, and the renovations and additions to Oakdale Junior High School in Rogers.
Jackson was born July 9, 1941, in Fredonia, Kan., to Chester and Elma Jackson. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was a decorated AC-47 pilot, serving in Southeast Asia. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and four oak leaf clusters. He was an instructor pilot for three years before completing his career as an Air Force Academy liaison officer.
Active in multiple organizations, Jackson served on the Rogers Planning Commission, Rogers Airport Commission and Arkansas State Aeronautics Commission. He was also a member of the Rogers Noon Rotary Club and a deacon at First Baptist Church of Rogers.
He is survived by his wife, Clare, whom he married June 5, 1965; three sons; one sister; and five grandchildren.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday (Nov. 4) at First Baptist Church of Rogers, located on the Pleasant Grove campus, with pastor Wes George officiating. Visitation will precede the funeral. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church to the “Building Fund.”