Samuel Phillip Jackson died unexpectedly of natural causes on November 15, 2015. Mr. Jackson, known as Sam to family and a wide circle of friends, was living in Spring Hope, NC at the time of his death.
Sam was born on June 17, 1940 to the late Phil Jackson and Mary Neal Wilkins Jackson in Gastonia, NC. Sam attended Gastonia schools, graduating from Ashley High School in 1958 where he excelled as both a scholar and athlete. He attended Davidson College and then graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1962 and the UNC School of Dentistry in 1965.
From 1966-1968 Sam served in the Vietnam War as a military dentist and was a proud member of the Seabees Naval Civilian Unit deployed out of Gulfport, Mississippi. After completing his service in the Navy, Sam made his home and established his dental practice in New Bern, NC where both of his daughters were born.
It was also in New Bern that he became a passionate golfer and an active member of both Centenary and Garber United Methodist Churches. Sam volunteered with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, often mentoring at risk kids in the local community.
Sam is survived by his two daughters Leigh Anne Louviere and husband Troy of Murrieta, CA and Samantha Smith and husband Scott of Jackson, WY and five grandchildren: Vivian Louviere, Henderson Louviere, Gabriel Louviere, Parker Smith and Samuel Smith. Also surviving Sam is his twin sister Judith Jackson Underwood of Charlotte, NC.
At Sam’s request, his remains have been donated to The Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, NC. A private memorial service celebrating Mr. Jackson’s life will be held at a later time.