Samuel G. Jackson, founder of Samuel Jackson, Inc., died Nov. 17 at Lubbock, Texas, at age 85.
Jackson’s father, S.B. Jackson, had pioneered many 20th century cotton industry innovations, including the first acid delinting process for cottonseed and the use of chemical additives in cotton moisture control.
Sam Jackson’s cotton career started with further exploration of moisture control issues and spanned more than 60 years, during which time he researched, designed and manufactured products and methods to improve the cotton ginning process through advanced moisture control techniques.
Perhaps his best-known invention is the moist air generator, known as the Humidaire. Developed in 1957, these units are in wide use, restoring moisture to cotton at key processing points, which allows the gin to operate faster and produce higher value bales. Throughout his career, Jackson continued to develop new drying and humidifying innovations and held a number of patents for these and other designs. His name has become synonymous with gin moisture control.
Today, products resulting directly from or inspired by his designs are in use in gins all over the world, including the largest and most efficient gins. These products have helped cotton growers increase crop value and improved profitability for gins through operational efficiency gains.
Jackson also provided many jobs to the area and he was well known for having several long-term employees, with some serving the company for over 40 years. In addition to the manufacturing jobs, many well-known professionals in the cotton industry list Samuel Jackson, Inc. as a past or present employer.
Jackson retired as company president in 1990 and served a new role as a senior engineer and adviser for many years.
Jackson was born May 17, 1925, at Ardmore, Okla., to Samuel B. and Irma C. Jackson. After growing up near Iowa Park, Texas, his family moved to Lubbock where he attended Lubbock High School. He attended Texas Tech and Texas A&M Universities as a participant in the Army Specialized Training Program. He completed his Army service as a member of the Signal Corps in Alaska. While finishing his degree at Texas Tech in mechanical engineering, he met his wife of 63 years, Geraldine Hope Jackson.
Jackson taught civil engineering courses at Texas Tech for two years following his graduation, after which he and Gerry moved to Colorado, where he was involved with construction projects for the University of Colorado. After two years, they returned to Lubbock and later decided to purchase S.B. Jackson’s business interests and continue work in cotton moisture control.
He and Gerry founded Samuel Jackson Manufacturing Corporation at Lubbock. He was a pioneer in the field of cotton moisture control and continued to develop new drying and humidifying innovations; he held a number of patents for these and other designs. He retired in 1990 and served a new company, Samuel Jackson, Inc., as technical and management adviser for a number of years.
Jackson is preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers, Lloyd, Robert, and John. He is survived by his wife, Gerry, three daughters, Susan Jackson Cobb (Larry) of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Emily Jackson Thatcher (Jay) of Anchorage, Alaska; and Amy Jackson Recht (John) of Port Ludlow, Wash.; and a son, Samuel Christopher “Chris” Jackson (Lynn) of Lubbock; grandchildren, Meredith and Graham Thatcher; Kindahl, Ashton, and Savannah Jackson; and Jean-Paul Recht.
Jackson was a member of the Christian Science Church in Lubbock for many years where he served in a number of positions and had many friends.
Memorial services for Sam Jackson will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Resthaven Chapel. Memorials are suggested to ChildFund International, P.O. Box 26484, Richmond Va. 23261-6484 or to the Salvation Army of Lubbock.