Lester Robert Jackson, Jr.

Mr. Lester Robert Jackson, Jr., former member of the personal staff of the late Walt Disney and one-time head of public relations at the John F. Kennedy Center for the performing Arts, died on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at Frederick Memorial Hospital of Leukemia. He was age 77.

Mr. Jackson joined Disney in the early 1960's and handled media coverage of the four Disney shows at the New York Worlds Fair 1964-65, moving on to be in charge of the initial announcement of plans for Walt Disney World in Nov. 1965. He was also responsible for publicity and special events at Disneyland until mid-1971.

Joining the Department of Commerce under the Nixon Administration, he served as international media coordinator for the United States Travel Service, the government's national tourism promotion agency for this country. He traveled extensively through the world during his USTS tenure. At the request of the late Roger Stevens, Chairman and CEO of the Kennedy Center, Mr. Jackson became the Director of Public Relations and Advertising for the national cultural facility, where he remained for several years before accepting the position of publicity director for General Mills, Inc., in Minneapolis, MN. Concurrently. Mr. Jackson was prominent on the speaker's circuit, presenting more than 700 speeches, seminars, workshops, panels and academic discussion groups throughout the nation. His topics were primarily on the creativity process and application and on organization and operation of major events. With Steven Woods Schmader, he co-authored SPECIAL EVENTS: INSIDE AND OUT, the industry's first full compilation of the creation and operation of major events. Later, he as the sole author of MAKING SPECIAL EVENTS FIT IN THE 21ST CENTURY, an expansion of the Schmader-Jackson book.

Following his retirement to Frederick, MD, Mr Jackson was elected to the Hall of Fame of the International Festivals and Events Association in 2003.

In addition to Marie, his wife of 55 years, he is survived by 2 sons: Lester R. Jackson,III and wife Sheri of Ryland Heights, KY and Gregry Thomas Jackson of Huntington Beach, CA; a daughter, Shawna M. Capotosto and husband John of Frederick; 8 grandchildren: Travis, Brandon, Ryan, Trevor, Kurtis, Rachael, Lindsey and Colin; 3 great grandchildren; a brother, Thomas Ronald Jackson and wife Katie of Deer Park, TX and a sister-in-law, Marilynn Jackson of Brownwood, TX .

Mr. Jackson was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Jackson.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 5-8 PM on Monday, September 29, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick.

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, September 30, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 112 E. Second St., Frederick with Rev. Richard J. Murphy as Celebrant.

Interment will take place in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 112 E. Second St., Frederick, MD 21701