Gordon Jackson was the finest member of a band anyone could have. He was always dedicated and after his retirement from a very successful band directing career, he became intently involved with performing bass trombone in the St. Joseph Municipal Band. Even after his retirement, he was continually attending national and international trombone workshops. Gordon even continued his trombone study by taking private lessons to constantly improve his playing. Gordon’s love for bands and trombone playing was phenomenal. He was also very much involved with making a great contribution in getting umbrellas for the back of the band shell to protect the musicians from the intense heat of the sun on those warm days. He was always sending me programs of recent concert events he attended and articles of interest of musicians doing special things all around the country. He played with the St. Joseph Municipal Band up through 2008, his 18^th consecutive season with the band until his health declined. Gordon, our fine bass trombonist, will be sorely missed, and our prayers and thoughts are indeed with his family in this tragedy.

Dr. Donald Moely, Director of the St. Joseph Municipal Band