Robert "Rob" Jenkins Jackson

SHELBY - Robert "Rob" Jenkins Jackson, 74, of Shelby passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at Atrium Healthcare - Cleveland after a brief illness.

Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Dr. Frederick and Helen Jackson. He was also predeceased by his granddaughter, Claire Cooper.

Rob graduated from Guilford College with a degree in Economics. At Guilford, Rob served as class President and Student Government Representative.  In fact, Rob met his future wife, Charlotte on her first day of college when the Student Government members were helping freshmen move into their dorms. After graduation, he became an officer in the Navy and received the Apollo Achievement Award for his effort on the Atlantic Apollo Recovery Team for the historic Apollo Moon Landing in 1969. After his discharge from the Navy, Rob worked for Anderson Clayton in Dallas, TX, before turning his passion for cars into a career.

After managing a major dealership's auto-body shop in Dallas, Rob opened Midas in Shelby which he operated for twenty years before changing it to Trusted Touch. He was proficient in both mechanical and auto-body work and taught Auto-body at Cleveland Community College after he retired.

His family was Rob's greatest joy. He loved telling customers and any other captive audiences about Rick and Lee, of whom he was very proud. Regardless of what the family was involved in, Rob was always supportive.

Rob loved cars of all types, especially 1957 Chrysler 300 C's. One of his proudest moments was receiving the "Best Restoration by Owner Award" at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Auto-fair. Rob, who enjoyed sharing his extensive knowledge of cars with others, was an easy-going guy who had a penchant for puns and jokes. His kindness, integrity, generosity, and good nature are a legacy his family will treasure.

Rob is survived by his soulmate and wife of almost fifty years, Charlotte; their son Rick and his wife Jenny of Asheville; their daughter, Lee and her husband, Sam Cooper of Suffolk, VA; his two grandchildren, Kate and Pierce Jackson. Rob is also survived by his sister, Mary {Charles} Medlin of York, SC; brothers, Ray {Brian} of San Diego, CA; and Larry {Daphine} of Columbia, MD; his Aunt Mary of Hendersonville, NC; his sister-in-law Ginny Gilbert of Pilot Mountain, NC; and brother-in-law, Tim {Barbara} Jessup of Conway, SC; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rob's family profoundly appreciates the inexhaustible support of his church, friends, co-workers, and some we do not know who have offered kind words about Rob during his fight against parotid gland cancer and his shocking death after a brief illness and especially the compassionate assistance of Robert Morgan Funeral and Cremation Service, LLC of Boiling Springs, NC during this time. 

Online condolences may be made at www.rsmorganfsl.com. 

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Rob's Life June 2, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Shelby where he was a valued member for over thirty years.

Memorials may be sent to the Children's Playschool at Aldersgate UMC, 1207 W. Dixon Blvd., Shelby or Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters/Jackson Claire Cooper Endowment, PO Box 2156, Norfolk, VA 23501.

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