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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Remembering

On his very first day at Eyer Middle School in 2008, Alex Vidal sat alone at lunch doing his English homework.

Little did he know, a brave act of kindness would ensure that day was Vidal’s first and last day sitting alone in the cafeteria.

Douglas Able Jackson III, affectionately known by his friends and family as “Dougie,” approached Vidal at lunch, inviting him to sit with him and his friends the next day.

This would be only one of the many ways Dougie would impact his classmates, and would be the start of the extraordinary legacy he would leave behind.

“I was surprised by his outgoing personality and his kindness because I did not know Doug at all until that moment,” Vidal said. “Sure enough the next day he waved me over and I had lunch with him and his friends. From that day on we became best friends, hung out all the time and I really got to know Doug and his family.”

While his time spent with Dougie was cut short, Vidal is grateful for Dougie’s big heart and the genuine friendship that grew between them.

“I am so glad that Doug reached out to me and I had the honor to have him as my best friend,” Vidal said.

Dougie became an instant friend for Emmaus High School graduate Kirsten Herwig.

“I remember starting out as a freshman in high school with no friends, and [I was] completely lost,” Herwig said. “He walked up to me, introduced himself, put his arm around my shoulder and gave me a hug.”

Dougie notoriously had no fear introducing himself to his classmates and community members, proudly exclaiming, “Hi, I’m Doug Able Jackson the Third!”

His fellow EHS graduate Brielle Weida says she will always remember Dougie for his enthusiastic introduction and the pride he had in his family and where he came from.

“You could tell that he was raised in a great family because of the kind of person he was,” Weida said. “To everyone he met/saw, he would give them a head nod when he passed and would always say ‘Hi, how are you?’ It was awesome.”

For another EHS graduate, Natasha Hyland, Dougie was the “definition of a friend,” and a positive voice to say, “We’re halfway through the week, we can do this!”

Hyland met Dougie during her eighth grade year at Eyer Middle School. The two were lab partners and always cracked jokes together during class. In high school, the two were in the same homeroom.

“Now, I will cherish every 20 minutes I spent with Dougie,” Hyland said. “He always provided the best bear hugs and words of comfort through every insignificant high school break up, through the death of the family dog and always was one to provide early morning pick me ups.”

According to Hyland, Dougie was a constant source of reassurance, always reminding others that no matter what happened, everything would be alright.

For another EHS graduate Kaetlyn Calissi, Dougie was a light at the end of the tunnel, even on the darkest days.

“During my sophomore year of high school, I was battling depression and anxiety,” Calissi said. “Many of my friends at the time thought I was seeking attention or exaggerating my problems. Not Dougie. He was always at the stairwell we used to hang at with a huge smile on his face and a bear hug at the ready. I went to Dougie frequently for his famous bear hugs and to hear some words of support. He always made sure that his friends were taken care of and were happy.”

While Dougie was famous for his warm, inviting smiles and loving bear hugs, he was also unafraid to stand up for what was right.

Diane Krier met Dougie through her granddaughter, who also attended EHS, and she will always remember him for his genuine personality, and the support he offered her granddaughter.

“The one thing I will never forget is how he stepped in at school one time when my granddaughter was being bullied and pulled the person to the side and very politely talked to him,” Krier said. “We don’t know what was said but after that day the person never bothered or bullied or talked about her again.”

Mary Kathleen Grovatt also had a similar experience with Dougie, who was childhood friends with her daughter Kaitlyn.

“When she wasn’t home, he would come in and hang out and talk to me while I was making dinner,” Grovatt said. “He had a heart of gold. He will be forever missed.”

Allison Sellers grew up with the Jackson family, and knew firsthand just how kind Dougie and the rest of his family were.

“I would babysit for families in the neighborhood, and the Jacksons were always my favorite house to go to because Dougie and Brittney were always nice to each other and got along so well,” Sellers said. “Mr. Jackson would walk me around the corner back to my house to make sure I got home safely, even though I was just a few houses away. I know they are small memories, but they mean a lot to me.”

Dougie’s friendships knew no bounds and lasted against the tests of time. Sellers had not seen Dougie for several years, after attending college and starting her career. One trip to Giant, Dougie’s place of employment, would leave a lasting impression on her heart.

“I was standing in the dairy aisle with my sister and a man came up and gave me a big bear hug,” Sellers said. “At first I was a little bit startled and then I realized it was Dougie Jackson. I couldn’t believe he remembered me enough to give me a hug. I had been having a bad day and I was honestly touched and cheered up by that kind gesture– it’s not often you get a hug in the middle of the supermarket and it made me smile.”

In that moment, Sellers saw the child she once knew and was proud of the man that stood before her.

“I am so glad I ran into him that day because now I will make sure to remember it forever,” Sellers said. “I think Dougie brought joy to more lives than he could ever know, and he certainly brought happiness to mine.”

Editor’s Note: Douglas Jackson III and his father died in a fire Dec. 17, 2015 at their home in Macungie. A recent tribute was held at Emmaus High School by fellow members of the EHS Class of 2013.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTODougie Jackson III is pictured in an undated photo which was part of a slideshow put together for a recent tribute at Emmaus High School.