Obituary: Dr. Melvin Jackson, 77, celebrated Germantown physician
Funeral service of Dr. Melvin Jackson, one of the city's most well-known medical professionals, were held last week at Zion Baptist Church. Dr. Jackson, 77, died Sept. 11, 2012.
Melvin Langston Jackson, M.D. was the only chilcl born to the late Langston Jackson and the late Doetha Gilliam Jackson Young on February 22, 1935 in Baltimore, Maryland. At an early age, he relocated to Skippers, Virginia with his aunt. He attended school in Greensville County, Virginia from 1st to 11th grades. He became ill and returned to Baltimore, where he graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1954. He graduated from Morgan State University in 1958 where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry.
While at Morgan, he was a member of the MSU Marching Band, playing the trombone. He was employed as a research assistant at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, before and after being drafted into the United States Army. While in the Army, he was a research assistant in medical research. He was honorably discharged in 1961.
He relocated to Philadelphia, in 1963 and worked at the United States Naval Air Development Center. Dr. Jackson was the first African American employed as a Biochemist at the United States Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, PA.
He became a member of Zion Baptist Church shortly after arriving in Philadelphia. In 1965, he married Jacquelyn Bernice Martin at Wayland Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. From this union, they were blessed with twins in 1974.
Dr. Jackson was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Philadelphia Alumni Chapter in 1968. He was a member of both Philadelphia and Baltimore Alumni Chapters. He had a special relationship with the Alpha Iota Chapter at Morgan State University. He was affectionately known as "Dr. Kappa." One of his proudest moments was when his son, Melvin II, was initiated into the Alpha Iota Chapter. He will be most remembered for his love of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and his rendition of "Invictus."
In 1976, he graduated from Hahnemann Medical College with a Doctor of Medicine Degree. Dr. Jackson completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore in 1979. In addition, he was the first African American resident in Internal Medicine at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore.
He started his own medical practice in 1983 after an externship with his beloved fraternity brother, the late Dr. Leonard Johnson. Dr. Jackson practiced medicine in his Germantown office until his death. He was on the staff at Temple University Hospital and Hahnemann University Hospital. To his patients and associates, "Dr. Jackson was an exceptional physician, highly regarded as a friend and confidant, who's always been there when needed." Dr. Jackson was one of the few physicians to make house calls.
Dr. Jackson had received numerous awards and citations for his outstanding contributions to the community. Such recognitions include the Special Achievement Award for publication of a technical article entitled, "Variation in Brain Nucleotides as an Experimental Probe for Cerebral Control Factors in Anoxic-Fatigue Stress," Philadelphia Alumni Chapter — Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Chapter Award, Past Polemarch's Award, Northeastern Province — Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Alumnus of the Year and Distinguished Service Awards, Grand Chapter — Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. — Elder Watson Diggs Award in 1999, Morgan State University — Philadelphia Chapter Achievement Award, Morgan State University —National Alumni Association — Special Achievement and Alumnus of the Year Awards, NAFEO Award, Spruce ACE Service Award and Distinguished Service Award and many letters of commendation.
Dr. Jackson was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. #98, Morgan State University National Alumni Association, the NAACP, Alpha Psi Omega National Service Fraternity and a member of several medical societies and associations. He was Past Polemarch of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a Past President and Corresponding Secretary of Chi Delta Mu Fraternity, Past President of the Philadelphia Alumni Association of Morgan State University National Alumni Association and Past Chairman of the Deacon Board at Zion Baptist Church.
He was a member of West Mt. Airy Neighbors, Upper Wissahickon Civic Association, The Philadelphia Epicureans, The Philadelphia Chums, Board Member of Zion DayCare Center and Medical Consultant to the Nurses' Unit at Zion Baptist Church. He spearheaded many health fairs and seminars in the Philadelphia community. He was a member of the Health Committee for the Northeastern Province and Grand Chapter since 1999.
Dr. Jackson leaves to celeblate his life and legacy: his wife of 47 years, Jacquelyn Martin Jackson; his twins, Melvin Langston Jackson II of Tampa, Florida and Melanie Lynn Jackson, M.D. of Bowie, Maryland; one grandchild, Sasha Alexandria Wells; mother-in-law, Bernice Martin of Baltimore; three sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law; a devoted and loyal employee for eighteen years, Maxine Johnson.
He will be missed by his nieces, nephews, wany, many devoted cousins, god children, extended family members, church family, fraternity brothers and life long friends.
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