Julius Thomas "Tote" Jackson

Julius Thomas "Tote" Jackson, Jr., 94, of Nitro, West Virginia, passed away Thursday, October 12, 2023. The oldest of five children, he was born November 12, 1928, in Charleston, WV, to the late Julius T. Jackson, Sr., and Elizabeth Lawson Jackson.

Julius and the late Stephanie Powell were married in 1952. This marriage produced three children, two sons and a daughter.

Julius attended Boyd Elementary and Junior High School, graduating from Garnet High School in 1947. While attending Garnet, he participated in the Glee Club, football team and LaTravilleurs. During his junior and senior high school years, Julius worked as the first African American Charleston Gazette Newspaper Carrier, under Russ Melby, earning a Charleston Gazette scholarship to West Virginia State College. He left WVSC to work as an automobile painter for South Charleston Chevrolet, then enlisted in the West Virginia National Guard, where he served as a Corporal from 1950 to 1952.

In 1952 Julius worked for Union Carbide. Although he started as a janitor in the machine shop, he moved into the Sampling Department then was promoted to Glass Laboratory Technician. Julius was the first African American technician hired at Union Carbide’s Institute Plant, retiring after 39 years of dedicated service.

Julius was a life-long member of Simpson United Methodist Church in Charleston, WV. He was active in many organizations including: the church choir, the Men’s Chorus, and Methodist Men. He had a passion for working with the children in the Simpson’s Summer Programs and the Scouts. Julius was a member of Morgan Lodge #10 Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons, St. Albans, WV, Kanawha Consistory #73 FASR, USA PHA, Charleston, WV, Henry Highland Garnet Alumni Association, and the Brookhaven Garden Club.

Julius was preceded in death by his son, Julius T. Jackson, III, brothers, Anthony Jackson, James Jackson, and William Jackson, and sister, Cecelia Hicks.

Those left to cherish Julius memory are his son, Dwight Jackson, and daughter, Mia Jackson Mosby. He was a proud granddad to two grandsons, Dwight D. Jackson, Jr., and Theodore R. Jackson, and five great grandchildren, Harmony Jackson, Raven Jackson, Gabrielle Jackson, Kaylee Jackson and Jax Jackson, all living in Louisiana.

Julius Thomas "Tote" Jackson  was loved by his children, family, and friends for his smile, laugh, and humble spirit that will be missed but not forgotten by all who loved him.

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