J K Jackson has gone to the Triumph Garage in the sky

Sad news to the GRM family.

J.K. Jackson  long time racer and autocrosser has passed away.   He is probably known more around the English car universe for his knowledge and skill at turning wrenches on those makes, and his large inventory of cars and parts.   He was the lead wrench on the black Triumph Tim used to campaign, and was on display in the old GRM World Headquarters..

Always a colorful part of the the Tallahassee and Appalachicola communities.   He used to cruise around Tallahassee in the 60's and 70's in a much modified XK120, or his very colorful hog truck.  For like forever he ran his iconic repair shop in Tallahassee.  Obviously a long time major player in the autocross community, usually with highly modified TR6s along with his wife Chris.

I know no funeral or memorial plans yet.

Think of the knowledge that passed with him.  He will be missed.

Oh no. This is a loss on several levels. Godspeed, J.K., and sincerest condolences to Chris and the rest of the family.

Margie

I have certainly benefited from his knowledge many times.   It saddens me to hear this partly because I'd always hoped for the opportunity to thank him in person.  Thanks, J.K.

One of the idols/legends when I was a young pup getting started autocrossing. Sad for the passing but that was a richly lived life. 

Those of us surviving in the Tallahassee area have so many stories.  He was a legend.  Also, a curmudgeon who did not suffer fools well.  I know he made me up my game a lot.  

I don't have as many stories as I'm sure a lot of you guys do, but the first time I met him was when I was broken down on the side of the road in the Triumph spitfire I'd built up from a literal pile of parts. He stopped to help, and after we found the short that was causing that particular issue, he invited me to his shop and we must have talked for hours.

I sure will miss him. I'm sure the broader community will as well; not many people with that kind of knowledge around anymore.

Sad news and thanks for sharing. Some of my earliest GRM memories involve JK. 

I just read this on a friend's Facebook page and came here to find more details.  As a long time Triumph guy this news has gutted me.  RIP JK.  

I talked to him a few weeks ago and then later commented on how good he looked in pictures on his recent trip to the United Kingdom. I don't want to call Chris yet, but would like to know what funeral arrangements are being made. This one hurts pretty bad. In earlier days he was like a second father to me. 

I talked to Chris a few minutes ago. I will give more details when the time is right. She has asked JC Osteen and I to deal with organizing the shop and what to do there, which I will gladly do. He did a lot for me over the years and I want to make sure things are handled correctly. 

Tim,

If housing during that process is a problem we may be able to help.    It is a huge inventory to go through.

Sad to hear this. J.K. was such an interesting guy, someone who made our world of grassroots motorsports more fun.

Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) said:

Tim,

If housing during that process is a problem we may be able to help.    It is a huge inventory to go through.

I also have a guest room I could make available if needed.

Thanks everyone. J.K.'s wife Chris, asked me to help write the obituary, which I was honored, yet still saddened to do.

J.C. Osteen and I have been asked to access the shop and the parts hoard and help decide what should be done.

We are planning a trip there in a couple of weeks for an initial accessment.

Please talk to me and not Chris about the parts, as she doesn't need this on top of eveything else.

From the Classic Motorsports site: J.K. Jackson: A longtime friend to us and the classic car world.