Jackson Alguire Vickery

BOONE, N.C. “Nah – I’m good” and looking away would be Jackson’s gentle, modest response to the suggestion of a life summary. How can one summarize such a unique, complete and complex being? Through each of our personal and highly individualized connections with him – through knowing his kind heart, tender soul, his all-encompassing and opinionated mind, his diverse appreciation of culture/music/people/etc., his consummate humor, his bottom-line respect of others, his rosy-cheeked, smiling, bearded, curly-haired, bigger-than-life self. Never one to rush, at age 31, he was just getting going. Since infancy, people warmed to Jackson’s personality and he was attentive to and appreciated their individuality. Jackson’s early childhood was in Raleigh, N.C. with his mom, dad and sister, in an old house where he enjoyed playing in a big back yard and sitting the porch swing on the side portico to watch the rain clouds come. He especially liked getting dirty with friends, sitting with mom on the front curb to watch the workmen with utility trucks, or going to the library to get all the books he was strong enough to carry. His older sister, Erin, became – and remained – his devoted role model, boss, punch-buddy, mentor, and confidante, throughout his life. When he was 3, Jackson and his family lived in Zimbabwe for a year where he enrolled in a Montessori Preschool. He genial personality was by now very useful, such as when a bullyish older boy ran up to him and in a polite formal African/English accent introduced himself and said, “Would you like me to bash your head?” to which Jackson, looking up at him calmly, simply replied “No.” Thus, a new friendship was solidified. The residential compound’s worker men hanging out in the garage behind the house’s wall, would call to the little blond boy, "Jackson, come and have some tea with us." Off he would trot, adeptly picking up their African accent and establishing his first buddy community. Through frequent but often undefinable health issues, throughout his childhood he developed close relationships with several pediatricians in both Zimbabwe and the U.S. Back home at 4, Jackson continued his formal education at Raleigh Preschool where he was mesmerized by working with “real tools”, reading more books and a “cute little red headed girl” – although he played mostly with preferred buddies. By age 5, he started embracing all humor genres, first honing his power of making people laugh by creating non-sensical knock-knock jokes, and later through dry wit, playing a bit of a wise guy. When joined a Little League team one year, the coach asked each player to spell his name, to be put on the back of his jersey.  "S-L-U-G-G-E-R," he said with a straight face, and on the jersey it went. His ball career progressed over several years to a rocketing climax, going in a single season from pleasurable cloud gazing in right field to, as first baseman, catching a potentially face- smashing line drive and turning - slowly and mindfully - to skillfully complete the only known triple play in Little League history. Then he was tired of it. Jackson demonstrated his unique and complex intellect starting in kindergarten through multifarious questions, such as “Who is more famous – Michael Jordan or Charlie Brown? Why do people have different colors of skin? Why aren’t there any women presidents in the world?” “Why does spaghetti get limp when it’s cooked?” Jackson’s elementary years flew by, filled with intense conversations with friends, Cub/Boy Scouts (winning the Roller Derby one year, thanks to help from his engineer grandpa), and family routines and trips. His intellect sharpened through daily reading and re-reading books (and discovering whole book series and genres), which was especially helpful when he had to go shopping with his mom and sister. By the fourth grade, one of his teachers, wide-eyed and head shaking in wonder, exclaimed "he is a SPONGE for facts!" He also discovered the profound magnetism of the Internet and Game Boy but did respect the one-hour screen time limit… for several years... By the time he was in high school the entire family regularly used the phrase “Ask Jackson” when faced with any confounding factual or trivial question. In 2000 Jackson moved to Chapel Hill with his mom and sister where, though school, the neighborhood and Boy Scouts, he quickly found new his diverse range of best-buddies. He continued attending Quaker Meeting where he learned the values of silence and listening, as well as embraced the core “S.P.I.C.E.” tenets which were so well expressed through how he lived as an adult: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality. Very recently, he expressed his deep appreciation of the power of nature as a source of inspiration and renewal (as well as a place to lose his phone). As his hair became brown and curly and he experienced a teen appetite (growing 7” in 7 months), Jackson put aside his Middle School trombone playing and voiced budding interest in preparing and consuming food, through classes and his preferred activity of eating at restaurants with his grandparents or friends. While walking daily to East Chapel Hill High School, Jackson pushed his buddies to blow all records of “longest standing road conversations”, going on to join the Forensic Club, which he enjoyed immensely but had no interest in actually participating in a formal debate. He excelled in any and all academic classes in which he liked the teacher and there were no monotonous homework assignments. He adored all dogs of family/friends, and named his two fish “Frank” and “Stein”. Jackson moved to Boone, NC, at age 18, where he built lasting friendships through attending Appalachian State University and working several jobs as he explored his career path. Throughout his life, as his self and worldly knowledge expanded, this was reflected in his stated preferences for ideal careers from “Fairy” (age 2), to “Bill Clinton” (age 3), to “Fireman – and Batman” (age 6), to “Mattress Model” (age 15), to “Business/I.T.” (age 18), to “whatever” (age 19), to “just read” (age 25) and back to the enduring “Business/I.T.” which he pursued through employment in retail (THE GAP), restaurants (Canyons/Ridgeline) and business/I.T. (at E.C.R.S.). At each of his jobs, Jackson applied his unique aptitude and skills to quickly exceed expectations. He was consistently promoted into supervisory and management positions, thereby achieving and excelling at his work while ever-expanding his network of friends and making his family very proud. He was especially dedicated to, and proud of, his success at E.C.R.S., quickly exceeding all previous sales records, being promoted, willingly volunteering to work at the office during the Covid lockdown, training others and managing their biggest national client. As youngest and tallest grandchild, Jackson was also delighted to be gifted first his grandma’s Chrysler 300 followed by his meema’s Cadillac. In his spare time, Jackson continued to enjoy reading (especial Fantasy series), video gaming, adding daily poignant Facebook posts, cooking, music, hiking, spending time with friends, and joining his ever-doting family for gatherings, holidays or trips. Additionally, he became an ordained minister in order to perform the wedding ceremony of his best friend. He was a kind, brilliant, principled, humorous guy, who was strongly internally driven, had no interest in the mundane, and who held compassion for all and respect for most. Jackson’s sudden passing has stunned his family and his large community of friends. He had recently announced his intention to pursue completing his university education and chosen career path in Business/I.T. after first taking a period of time to formally address some ongoing health issues. Jackson’s swift and precipitous health decline is not well understood. Jackson received excellent care at the Duke University Medical Center during the last few days of his life, where he was surrounded by family and friends throughout this period of health crisis. Jackson is survived by his father Ken Vickery (Mary Lou), mother Catherine Alguire (Bob Durovich), sister Erin, stepsisters Casey (Mark) and Ginny, one niece and one nephew, his grandmother and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family extends deep appreciation and thanks for the staff in the Duke Medical I.C.U. unit for the skilled and compassionate care provided to Jackson and his family. In addition, the family offers deep and heartfelt appreciation to Jackson’s many friends and our family friends, who came to the hospital or who have otherwise reached out to us to share love and support during this tender time. We so appreciate each of you in unique ways, as did Jackson. Special thanks to Jackson’s core buddies Brent, Tyler and Ben, and roommate Aaron for their generosity in supporting Jackson and family during this time of transition. We are comforted that Jackson’s friends around the western part of NC have been gathering to mourn, celebrate and share the continuing grace of his spirit. We appreciate all of the beautiful tributes that we hear have been paid to Jackson through social media (but haven’t seen them because we’re not that savvy). We honor Jackson in the style of this obit. A memorial celebration of Jackson’s life will be held on June 11, 2022 at the Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa St, in Raleigh, NC. Casual dress. From 1:00 – 2:00 family and friends are invited to gather for a shared semi-structured reflection and sharing time. No photos/video, please. This will be followed at 2:00 – 3:30 by an informal reception and gathering. Should you wish to formally honor Jackson’s memory, please consider a gift to either the charity of your choice or one of the two below: Hunger and Health Coalition – local focus 141 Health Center Drive Suite C Boone, North Carolina 28607 (828) 262-1628 https://www.hungerandhealthcoalition.com/ CWS – Church World Service – international focus Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com