Aug. 14, 1928 –

July 10, 2012

Royce Van Jackson, MD., age 83, of Crawfordville, Fla., died Tuesday, July 10, in Tallahassee.

He was a native of Attapulgus, and had lived in Tallahassee since 1967.

Graduating as valedictorian from Attapulgus High School in 1945, he then graduated from Georgia Southern College in 1949. He taught science at Chattahoochee High School, before entering the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps in 1950.  He also served in the Korean Conflict with the 2nd Infantry and was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and a Bronze Star.

He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 1958. He went on to practice Family Medicine in Madison, Fla., from 1960-1965. He then studied Psychiatry at Tulane University, and Family Systems Theory at Georgetown University College of Medicine. Royce practiced psychiatry in Tallahassee from 1967-1993. After closing his psychiatry office, he became certified in Chelation Therapy. He retired from that practice in 1998. Among his professional achievements are the following: staff appointments at the Ochsner and Charity Hospitals in New Orleans, La., and chairman of the psychiatric department at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

He also served as an expert witness and consultant in the Leon County judicial system.

Royce enjoyed dancing, reading, gardening, playing golf and poker, fishing, and “honky tonkin.’”

Royce was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine and James Jackson; his brothers, Mason and James; his sister, Geraldine McCarty (Joe); his first wife, Helene; and his step-daughter, Brenda Higgins.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 25 years, Patricia Jones Jackson; his children, Mary Agnes Jackson Dallas (John) and Royce Van Jackson Jr. (Helen); his grandchildren, Laura Dallas McSorley (Tom), Paul Dallas, Rebecca Dallas, Amy Koehler, Royce Van Jackson, III — “Trey,” Donald Jackson, Nicki Morris and Alexandra Higgins.

His greatest pleasure for the past 28 years was being  “Papa” to his wonderful grandchildren and spending time with them fishing at his home on Anhinga Pond in Crawfordville.

His surviving siblings include Charles Jackson (Lorraine), Mary Jo Jackson Clark, Billy Jackson (Miriam), Enid Jackson Borders (Ernie), Catherine Jackson Smith (Paul), and Carl (Cotton) Douglas Jackson (his beloved baby brother). Royce is also survived by many nieces, nephews, friend and cousins.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, July 14, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at his son’s home at 2065 Edenfield Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Salvation Army.

Fairchild Funeral Home and Crematorium of Tallahassee is in charge.