Richard (Dick) Jackson
Dick was born on July 22, 1947 at Burge Hospital in Springfield MO he was the youngest son of Clifford and Gwendolyn Jackson of Mountain Grove MO.
Dick died September 21 at home in Springfield MO. Dick was proceeded in death by his parents Clifford and Gwendolyn Jackson and his brother Charles Jackson. He is survived by his wife Gail, step children Tabitha Klessens and her family, Joe Mills and his family. He is also survived by family and friends.
Dick held the distinction of being one of the highest awarded members of the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA).
Some of the recognitions he received from the MAIA are he was twice committee chairman of the year for his legislative work. Also, was named the Young Agent of the Year in 1977. He was awarded the Insurance Person of the year in 1985
In July 2007 he was awarded the E Ellwood Willard Outstanding Service award, this is a special award selected by MAIA’s Executive Committee for an individual who has provided outstanding service to the association over a period of time.
His most notable service to the association has come from serving as a chair of the Legislative Committee, which he led for almost 10 years. Through this committee, Jackson helped to implement and spear-head key legislation in areas such as workers’ compensation and continuing education, that has yielded significant results empowering both agents and consumers in the industry.
Dick served as President of the MAIA in 1981, his father Clifford served as president in 1947 the year Dick was born.
Dick was also very proud of the Insurance Professional of the Year he received from the local Springfield Independent Insurance Agents.
Following graduation for Drury College (now University) in 1969 Dick joined the National Guard before returning to Mountain Grove to work with his father in his agency . Dick later bought the Mountain Grove agency from his father.
In 1986 the Mountain Grove Agency merged with Barker Phillips Insurance in Springfield Mo, making it the largest independent agency in southwest Missouri. Dick served as President and CEO of BPJ until he retired in 2002. He continued on as Chairman of the Board for an additional 2 years. Before Dick retired he made sure that BPJ was 100% Employee Owned.
Jackson was also active in promoting economic growth in Springfield through participation in the effort to form the first Springfield Partnership Industrial Park as well as Industrial Park – West and active membership in the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. As president of BPJ, he invested in the Springfield Business and Development Corporation’s Partnership of Prosperity. His community activities extended to involvement with non-profit agencies such as United Way of the Ozarks and Ozarks Public Television.
There will be a visitation at Greenlawn Funeral Home South Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. with a short Memorial Service at 5:30 p.m.
Also the family would be grateful if you would come to the home and share a drink with Dick after the service.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to the Wounded Warriors Project.