Tom Jackson 1/18/1956 - 9/12/2026 “Beast of Burden,” by The Rolling Stones, played on the radio as Tom Jackson exited his North Canton home for the final time on the quiet evening of Saturday, September 12, 2026. He passed peacefully after a year-long battle with small cell lung cancer. His devoted wife of fifty years, Sherrie, and their children looked on in teary-eyed embrace with love, admiration, and deep sadness, knowing that Tom is reunited with his Creator.

If you were lucky enough to know Tom, you may have heard one of his infamous sayings, “I’d rather be lucky than good.” What he never added was that Tom was a man who made his own “luck.” Tom took big swings in life, but by loving his family and friends, working hard, investing in people, and savoring each day with his positive, grateful, and encouraging spirit, those big swings normally paid off. Lucky indeed.

Thomas Steven Jackson was born January 18, 1956, to the late, great Norman and Joanne Jackson of Massillon, OH. The oldest of five Jackson children, Tom paved the way for his family in life. It started with attending St. Mary’s Elementary and Canton Central Catholic High School, where he played baseball and football, made lifelong friends, and met his “Cutie,” Sherrie Correlli.

One of those big swings Tom took was asking his high school sweetheart, Sherrie, to marry him when they were just 19. In 1976, the young couple embarked on their life together, spending the early years of marriage growing, learning, and having fun; traveling to beach vacations and volunteering with the Canton Jaycees. After 15 years of fun, they welcomed children, but still made time for beach vacations. Tom first and foremost was a family man, and he showed that by showing up. He was at every track meet, ballet performance, and baseball game. Later in life, grandparenting suited him well. The fact that all three grandsons share a part of their Pappy’s name gives a clue to the impact and love Tom imparted to his own kids.

Tom was a leader for his family, but also in the community and business. He was approachable and invested his time and energy into people. He started his working years in banking, but made a career in real estate. Another one of those big swings was in 2001. After time at TK Harris and well over a decade with Cutler Real Estate, he started his own company, Tom Jackson Commercial Real Estate. A proud chapter of his career was welcoming his son, Joe, into the business before both joined NAI Spring Realty in 2024.

Tom wasn’t just a people person in business, but in all facets of life. He was a joyful connector and was blessed with rich friendships from each of life’s chapters. The joke was Tom “had a guy” for everything. Not in the mafia way (although seeing “The Godfather” was Tom and Sherrie’s first date), but in the recognition of integrity and hard work way. He greeted people and obstacles with thoughtful regard and energetic resolve. He put this to good use volunteering on St. Paul’s Parish Finance Council, planning golf outings, CCHS reunions, and yes, even the next vacation.

Tom was young at heart and embraced life’s joys. Tom’s joys? His wife, his family, his friends, laughter, a party, a nice dinner, sunsets (bonus points if it was a beach sunset), bourbon, Wednesday night golf league, investment club gatherings, Guardians wins, supporting small businesses, and live music. His daughter Leah once received a text from a friend: “Is this your dad?” with an attached video of 60-year-old Tom and his friends dancing on stage at a Cleveland dueling piano bar. He was air guitaring to The Rolling Stones.

Tom is survived by the love of his life, Sherrie; their children, John Jackson of Cleveland, Leah (Jordan) Halloran of Columbus, Joe (Bethany) Jackson of Canton; and grandsons Jay, Tommy, and Jackson; siblings Sam (Fran) Jackson of Dalton, Chris (Mike) Vellucci of Canton, Scott (Caroline) Jackson of Put-in-Bay; sister- and brother-in-laws Deb (Gary) Morrison of Canton and Curt Allenbaugh of Alliance; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and many, many friends. As Tom would say, “It’s a wonderful life!”

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jay Jackson, his sister-in-law Chris Correlli Allenbaugh, and his father and mother-in-law, John and Virginia Correlli.

Calling hours for family and friends will be held Tuesday, September 22, from 4–6 p.m. at the Rossi Family Funeral Home in Canton, OH. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul Catholic Parish in North Canton, OH, on Wednesday, September 23, at 10 a.m. A private interment at Calvary Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Daughters of Mary of Nazareth Convent (26 Phipps St, Quincy, MA 02169); Central Catholic High School, The Jay Jackson Scholarship Fund (4824 Tuscarawas St. W, Canton, OH 44708); Refuge of Hope Ministries (715 2nd St NE, Canton, OH 44704); or Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank (1365 Cherry Ave NE, Canton, OH 44714).

The Jackson family would like to thank their community for the prayers, support, and outpouring of love during this incredibly difficult time.

Tom, we are the lucky ones for knowing you and learning from your example of how to live life the right way; savoring the everyday and loving people. Thank you, T-Cat, love you forever.

ROSSI (330) 492-5830

www.rossifuneralhomeinc.com