Captain Roland "Brock" Jackson, USAF (Retired), made his final flight to the Lord on Monday, January 15th, 2024, after losing a two-year battle with esophageal cancer.
Born on St. Patrick's Day, Brock began his life's remarkable journey. Brock embraced adventure, a love for learning and a never-ending determination to live life to its fullest. Brock met the love of his life, Gloria in high school during band practice and they married in 1954 after he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Wayne University and received the Distinguished Military Graduate Award as a member of the Air Force ROTC.
Brock commissioned into the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant on June 17 th, 1954 and began his aviation training at the USAF Basic Flight School, Air Training Command in Bartow, FL.
He was then sent to the USAF Air Training Command Basic Pilot Training at Webb AFB in Big Spring, Texas and on April 27, 1956, Brock became a Jet Pilot Graduate. During pilot training, Brock flew multiple aircraft including the North American T-6 "Texan", the North American T-28 "Trojan", and the Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star".
Brock then transferred to multi-engine aircraft, primarily flying the Douglas C-124C Globemaster II, affectionately known amongst its pilots and crew as "Old Shaky". Brock ascended to the rating of Senior Pilot in the C-124C and flew all over the world with the 53rd Airlift Squadron "Black Jacks" and the 77th Troop Carrier Squadron "Toting Tiger", with both units flying under the 63rd Troop Carrier Wing out of Donaldson Air Force Base, Greenville, South Carolina. Donaldson AFB became known as the "Airlift Capital of the World" with the mission of flying "Anything,
Anywhere, Anytime!" Among his many missions, Brock and his fellow Airlift members provided heavy airlift support during the Korean War, tactical airlift support during "Operation Edline" (Distant Early Warning network) out of Churchill, Manitoba and tactical and humanitarian airlift supply during the Berlin Wall Crisis, flying over 20 missions to the Antarctic in critical resupply support of Operation "Deep Freeze III" while stationed at Christ Church, New Zealand. Brock's Air Force Service awards and decorations include three Presidential Unit Citations, the Republic of Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the USAF Commendation Medal, the US National Defense Service Medal, the US Antarctic Service Medal, USAF Outstanding Unit Award, and the USAF Longevity Service Award.
After retiring from the US Air Force Reserve, Brock worked in Sales and Marketing Management with Hoechst-Celanese and moved several times across the country from the east coast to west coast with his young family. They finally settled back into the town he and Gloria loved so much, Greenville, South Carolina. It is here that Brock watched his daughters grow up and start their own families. Brock and Gloria traveled all over the world to six out of seven continents. Brock retired after 27 years with Hoechst-Celanese. Brock was a Member of the Arnold Air Society in the USAF ROTC, a past Elder of St. Giles Presbyterian Church an active member of the Suncoast Chapter of The Order of Daedalians at McDill AFB and an Honored Veteran of the Southwest Florida Honor Flight Organization.
Brock and Gloria relocated to Manatee County, FL in 2007 to be closer to their daughter Dawn and her family. Brock was affectionately known as Papa and Grandpa, to his four grandchildren. He shared his love of life and adventure with them on many trips to the Bahamas, Alaska, Mexico, and throughout his beloved country, America. His final adventure was this past June with his youngest grandchild to the United Kingdom and France. Brock is survived by his wife, Gloria his bride of 69 years, his daughters Dawn (Mike), Dana, (Alex), his grandchildren, Christine, LT USN Helicopter Aircraft Commander, Aaron, graphic designer and Lexi, his youngest grandchild who loves horses, music, and theater. He was predeceased by his grandson, his namesake Matthew Brock. Brock, Dad, Papa – our lives changed forever when you took your last flight. Your wings are now golden. We will miss you forever.
Brocks Celebration of Life Service will be Monday February 12, 2024 10:30 am at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes and Crematory 43rd St Chapel, 604 43rd St W, Bradenton, FL 34209 with his Air Force Inurnment Service following at 1:00 pm at Sarasota National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to: Moffitt Cancer Foundation
Donations can be made:
By mailing a check to Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, MBC-FOUND, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612
Or online at Moffitt.org/Donate – there is an option to choose "Honor a Loved One."
Or by calling 1-800-456-3434 ext. 1403.
FUNERAL HOME
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory (43rd St. Chapel) - Bradenton
604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, Florida
