Richland County Councilman Chip Jackson dies at age 65

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Calvin “Chip” Jackson, a Richland County Councilman and former Richland School District 2 board member, died Friday at age 65.

Elected to Richland County Council as the District 9 representative in November 2016, Jackson began serving his first four-year term in January 2017.

Richland County Council released a statement praising Jackson’s work on the county’s Penny Transportation Program ad hoc committee.  

“Councilman Jackson was a hard worker, but more importantly, he was a dear colleague and friend,” the statement said.

The county said it would consult with Jackson’s family about “any memorials and ways to honor his tireless work on behalf of Richland County and District 9.”

Jackson served eight years on the Richland School District 2 board of trustees, as the COO for administration at Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, and on the senior advisory board for Clemson University’s College of Education.

“We are shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Chip Jackson,” Carl Blackstone, president and CEO of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, said via email. “He was a good friend and advocate of the Columbia Chamber and the entire business community. Chip will be remembered as someone who choose compassion over partisanship in today’s divisive world. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and the many people and organizations who have lost such a great leader.”

Jackson’s family shared a statement through a representative with The State newspaper on Friday afternoon.

“This is a very tough time for us, as you can imagine,” the statement said. “We ask for your continued prayers and wishes. As details and arrangements are made in the coming days, we will make certain the community is informed. Again, we thank you for your support, kindness and we ask for your continued prayers.”

Jackson served as Deputy Superintendent with the S.C. Department of Education from 1999 to 2005. He also worked at Trident Technical College, the College of Charleston and the University of South Carolina.

The co-author of two books, Jackson received the Governor and Mrs. Richard W. Riley Award for Excellence in Dropout Prevention.

Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in public administration/public policy from the University of Charleston. He is survived by wife Patricia, two children, and a grandchild.