Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Dr. M. Dennis Jackson, retired professor of English and journalism and mentor to countless students, died May 10, 2024, in Vero Beach, Florida. He was 78.
Dennis Jackson was born on June 30, 1945, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Roy Dennis and Margie Emma (Cade) Jackson.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi; a Master of Arts from the University of Arkansas; and a doctorate degree in English at the University of Arkansas.
An expert on D.H. Lawrence and journalism, Dr. Jackson taught English and journalism at the University of Delaware from 1978 until his retirement in 2007. He was the journalism program director from 1995 to 2003. He also served as advisor to the University of Delaware student newspaper, The Review.
Dr. Jackson served as secretary, treasurer, and president of the D.H. Lawrence Society of North America between 1979 and 1986. He edited numerous publications about Lawrence, as well as the book “The Journalist’s Craft: A Guide to Writing Better Stories.” He also spent decades working to convey the legacy of journalist Chuck Stone.
His awards included the Harry T. Moore Distinguished Scholar Award for Lifetime Achievement in D.H. Lawrence Studies from the D.H. Lawrence Society North America. He also received the National Teaching Award from the Poynter Institute and an award for Excellence in the Teaching of Writing and Editing from the Modern Media Institute and American Society of Newspaper Editors.
After retiring, Dr. Jackson married artist Anne Whitney and moved to Vero Beach to enjoy life with Whitney and their pets.
Dr. Jackson was far more than a professor – he was an inspiration, a guide, and a mentor who was devoted to his students for life. In the most congenial of ways, he lit a gentle fire under many a derrière, encouraging students toward potential that he saw even when they didn’t. He scrawled extensive notes across papers, helped secure countless internships and jobs, defended his student journalists fiercely, and showed up with encouragement decades after last seeing a student in class.
Dr. Jackson loved language. He was a storyteller extraordinaire who also had a way of capturing ideas in pithy, succinct phrases. Conversations with him were unfailingly long, wide-ranging, and hilarious.
Along with the written word, he loved the beauty of art, truth, and justice. And he loved to help.
He had this quote by John Wesley taped to his file cabinet:
“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
And he did.
Dr. Jackson leaves behind his beloved wife, Anne Whitney; his cousin Mike Kimble; and Mike’s wife, Diana Kimble. With special tribute to his beloved Aunt Nel, who was like a second mother to him.
Our caring professionals are here to assist you and your family during this difficult time. We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to assist in immediate arrangements or pre-arrangements.
Anne Whitney
May 11, 2024, 2:38 pm
A memorial tribute is planned at University of Delaware’s Memorial Hall at 12:00 noon on June 30, his birthday. Memorial donations may be sent to VNA Hospice of Indian River County.
Eric Ruth
May 14, 2024, 1:37 pm
Unstintingly supportive and inspiring, Dennis also was such a kind-hearted man, and his infectiously upbeat attitude sustained many weary journalism students over the years. I will always treasure his memory for being the one person who, years after my time in his class, badgered me (gently) to come back and get my degree. Thank you, Prof. Jackson, we all miss you so much.
Dennis Sandusky
May 14, 2024, 6:55 pm
Dennis was a man of boundless energy and enthusiasm. This alone would have made him a great teacher, but he was also exceptionally kind and generous with his time. He was a skilled and talented writer, editor and writing coach. Most of all, he had a unique ability to get “fired up” about writing and journalism, and to take you with him as he did. It was a privilege to know him, to be his student and to call him my friend for more than 40 years. Rest in peace, my old friend, and may your loved ones find peace in knowing how many lives you changed.
Barklie Eliot
May 15, 2024, 11:45 am
Dennis was smart, whimsical (those motorized Christmas figurines!), and generous. He gave not only material things, but also unstinting support to his wife, Anne, his friends, and his former students. May he rest in peace.
Barbara Austin
May 15, 2024, 12:47 pm
Dennis Jackson was my good friend and like a brother. He was brilliant and a mentor to many young journalists in addition to being one of the top Lawrence scholars on the world stage. I will always remember our fun times when he was a student assistant in public relations at Belhaven College in Jackson, MS, where I began my career. My deepest sympathy to Anne and all who had the pleasure of his good company.
Paul Davies
May 16, 2024, 12:44 pm
No one was more devoted to their students than Dennis. Not just for a semester, but for a lifetime. Dr. J was a great teacher, mentor and friend. He was a force of nature with boundless time and energy for everyone. Dennis planted mustard seeds of confidence in young students that grew into a generation of journalists. Dennis will be missed but his Mississippi twang will forever be heard in the hearts and minds of those who were lucky to know him.
James Hughes
May 21, 2024, 4:57 pm
Such a huge influence on so many of us in the UD Journalism program. His enthusiasm was boundless. If you stopped by Dennis’ office for a 15 minute chat, you really needed to budget 45 minutes — 10 minutes for anecdotes about his own experiences, and another 35 spent encouraging you with whatever project you were undertaking. Always genuinely excited for whatever success current and past students were having. Hope he understood what an impression and impact he made on so many of us.
Judith Ruderman
May 21, 2024, 5:38 pm
Dennis Jackson was a force of nature, a phrase I wrote here before seeing that others have said the same thing! Enthusiastic and ebullient, he was truly alive in a way that most people are not, even when he was in the throes of illness. Dennis was a renowned literary scholar and editor as well as a loyal colleague and friend. His contributions to research, teaching, editing, and mentoring will live on. Condolences to his widow, Anne, and to all those for whom his death leaves an empty space.
Donna Crawford
May 26, 2024, 10:41 pm
Dennis, I have a hard time realizing you are gone and there won’t be any conversations anymore. I barely knew you when Jeannie passed and we became like brother and sister. So many talks as I worked with you around your house. I’ll never forget the time we tried to put a cabinet together to find out it was upside down. We had a such a laugh over that. We went through many things together and had built great memories. When you found Annie, you knew she was the one. A beautiful and loving artist. You picked another winner with her. She was as easy to love as you and became family as well. I’m going to really miss our friendship. I pray you rest easy.
Linda Russell
May 28, 2024, 5:26 pm
I lost my brother-friend when Dennis left us. He inspired many of his students and was a loyal friend to so many of us. He was over-the-moon happy and in love when he found his beloved Annie. I absolutely adored the two as a couple—lotsa fun and caring. The world has lost a wonderful man, and Annie is heartbroken. A Celebration of Life will be held in Newark on June 30th.
Linda Russell
May 28, 2024, 7:36 pm
I lost my dear brother-friend when Dennis left us. He inspired hundreds of his students, and he followed most of them throughout their careers. He’s been a loyal friend to so many of us too. Den was over-the-moon happy and in love when he found his beloved Annie. I absolutely adored the two as a couple—lotsa fun and caring. The world has lost a wonderful man, and Annie is heartbroken.
Lisa Johnston
June 3, 2024, 3:25 am
Dennis,
Thank You for being You. You were the kindest , Compassionate, and inspiring person I have ever known. Your smile could light up a whole room. I can’t believe you’re gone. I just found you again. I’m so glad we got to talk that day. Thank you for always making me smile, feel important, special, and LOVED. Thank you for teaching me how to fish and all the times at Nell and Riley’s with Jody. Thank You for teaching me the most important lessons…..Love , compassion , Kindness, and Joy. Your mom was so proud of you. You were truly someone who could be described as the hands and feet of JESUS. I was blessed to have known you and will miss You always.
Love , Lisa
Ann,
I am so very sorry for your loss. What a huge loss it is. I will be praying for You. Thank You for making Dennis so happy. He loved You so much. I could hear it in his voice.
Artika Casini
June 4, 2024, 3:26 pm
Dr. J, I loved reminiscing with fellow alumni about the impact you had on our lives: https://www.udel.edu/udaily/2024/june/in-memoriam-dennis-jackson-journalism-professor/. I feel fortunate to be among your many, many fans. Your book is on my desk as I write this, and your words are with me wherever I go. Love, Artika
Pim Van Hemmen
July 10, 2024, 3:00 pm
He was an enormous influence on me. He bailed me out at a time when I was floundering and he encouraged me when I really needed encouragement. I just Googled him to see if I could find him and to let him know that something he said to me 44 years ago turned out to be truer than I could have ever realized at the time. I am saddened to learn he has passed and that I can’t say thank you one more time. RIP Dennis. You have no idea how much good you did.