Robert "Bob" V. Jackson

Robert “Bob” Jackson passed on Tuesday October 23,

2018. Bob was born on September 29th, 1954 in

Rochester, MN but moved to Harlingen two years later,

as he put it, “as soon as I could walk”.

Bob was a proud lifetime resident of the Rio

Grande Valley. He loved to travel but never desired to

live elsewhere. He graduated from Harlingen High

School in 1972. He acquired both his B.A. in History and

English (1976) and M.A. in Educational Administration

(1984) at the University of Texas- Pan American. The

latter of which he earned in night school while teaching.

He taught English at Weslaco H.S. (1983) Coakley

Junior High (1977-80,1984-88). With his Masters he

went on to become an Assistant Principal at Alamo High

School and Harlingen High School South (1988-96).

In 1996 he left education to live his dream of

being an entrepreneur with his wife Tresa Jackson when

they opened Proforma RGV. Their venture was

successful winning many awards with the franchise and

making lasting relationships with local businesses, until

his health limited his involvement. Tresa continues to

operate their thriving business today.

Bob is survived by his wife, Tresa Jackson, his

daughter, Athena Z Peters (Peter Hairston) of Easton,

MA, and his son, Jacob Dale Peters (Davina Amiri) of

Austin; his granddaughters Aurora and Aria Dane of

Easton, MA; his sisters Pamela Jackson, Linda Jackson

and Susan Risley of Harlingen; his dogs Kahlua and

Goldie; extended family and many close friends he

considered family.

Bob was known for the many student lives he

touched as a teacher and principal. He cared about all

of his students but in particular found ways to reach out

to those struggling with learning disabilities or behavioral

issues. He was known for avant garde approaches such

as dissecting the meaning of popular song lyrics for

poetry lessons instead of more traditional examples. In

his mind teaching was about finding the right way to

reach the individual at their level. He didn’t give up on

anyone.

He carried this approach in his business as well,

reaching out to his clients as friends and fellow

community members to find out what they needed

specifically, and providing that to them with a friendly

smile and kind word.

Outside of his career, Bob’s passion was the

great outdoors. His friends and family often joined him

on road trips affectionately dubbed “Adventures with

Bob” which took them off-the-beaten-path across the

U.S and Mexico. He enjoyed fly-fishing and snorkeling in

the Caribbean with his dad, Dr. R.C. “Bob” Jackson MD

(b.1921-d.2007); dove, whitewing, turkey, hog and deer

hunting in South Texas with family and friends; saltwater

fishing in the Laguna Madre. He relaxed by grilling meat

and telling of his adventures in his yard by the resaca.

Bob will be greatly missed by those of us whose

lives he touched. We have treasures of memories to

carry a small part of him with us.

Join us for a Celebration of Life at First United

Methodist Church at 3pm on Saturday October 27th with

the family receiving visitors in the Fellowship Hall until

4:30pm.

For those desiring to do so, memorial donations

may be made to the Coastal Conservation Association

or Sunny Glen Children’s Home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Buck

Ashcraft Funeral Home.  You are invited to leave a memory or sign the guestbook at www.buckashcraft.com