ROY DELANO JACKSON, Sr.

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been  entrusted with much, even more will be required. 
Luke 12:48

Obituary

With hearts filled with love, gratitude, and cherished memories, the family of Roy Delano Jackson, Sr., formerly of Roy D Jackson, CPA and Associates, announces his peaceful passing on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at his home in Ocala, Florida. He was 83 years old. Roy's passing marks the close of an extraordinary life devoted to faith, family, education, public service, and the advancement of the Virgin Islands community he loved so dearly.

Born and raised on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Roy was the beloved son of the late Anthon Aloysius Jackson and Sarah Delphine Callwood Jackson.

A Valedictorian of Charlotte Amalie High School, Class of 1960, he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Business from Atlantic Union College in Lancaster, Massachusetts, Class of 1964. In 1975, he completed the Professional CPA review courses encompassing the subjects of Accounting, Auditing, and Business Law at the Person-Wolinsky Institute in New York, New York. He is recognized as the first native-born Virgin Islander to successfully pass the National CPA examination in  1976.  In 1979, he earned an Executive Management Development Certificate from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and in 1985  he earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands. 

The first sixteen years of Mr. Jackson’s professional life were spent in public service as an accountant, controller, and Assistant Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Urban Renewal Board. He resigned from Government service to pursue a goal that he had set at age 15 in the tenth grade at the Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS) -  to become a Certified Public Accountant, and in 1977 his accounting firm, Roy D Jackson CPA and Associates, was born. (1977-2017).

Mr. Jackson devoted his life to family, faith, education, music, and civic leadership. He served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of the Virgin Islands as well as a Mathematics instructor at the CAHS evening Adult Program. He mentored generations of professionals, served as the inaugural President and CEO of the Virgin Islands Government Development Bank, and held numerous leadership positions throughout the Territory. His distinguished service earned him Congressional recognition and the U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Businessperson of the Year Award.

Between the years 1980 and 2009, Mr. Jackson was actively involved in public service as a member of several public boards including the Virgin Islands Board of Public Accountancy, the Public Finance Authority, the West Indian Company Board of Directors, and the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees as Finance Committee Chair where in 2010 he was granted Trustee Emeritus Status in recognition of his outstanding service to the Board and to the University on a whole. He was a Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow. He served as President, Treasurer, and Director of the Rotary Club II, St. Thomas and President of Rotary Foundation. He took pleasure in serving the religious community pro bono with his business acumen and financial expertise. He served as Finance Committee Chairman and Internal Auditor for the Philadelphia SDA Church.

As a gifted musician and music director, Roy praised God through piano, organ, trombone, tuba, church choirs, male chorales, and community ensembles including The St.Thomas Community Band and The Caribbean Chorale. Above all, he will be remembered as God-fearing, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, educator, civil servant, and friend.

As an avid sportsman, Roy’s passion for athletics was woven throughout his life. He sponsored and managed several softball teams, including Bapos and the Royals, and was also a talented player on both teams. He sponsored the Marlins and Orioles Little League baseball teams as well as the Avengers II Volleyball Team. A track star in his youth, Roy competed in inter-island competitions and later put his speed and athleticism to work as an outfielder in the over-50+ softball leagues, traveling annually to Arizona to compete against teams from across the world.

Roy’s competitive spirit extended beyond the softball field. He was an avid ping pong(table tennis) player who regularly competed and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of the game. In his later years, Roy discovered Pickleball and quickly embraced the sport. True to his nature, he became a fierce competitor, bringing the same determination, athleticism, and love of competition that had defined him throughout his life.

A skilled and competent pleasure boat captain, Roy enjoyed the ocean cruising between the islands with family and friends in his 20-foot Cobia named Blue Angel.

Roy leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of forty-two years, Merilyn Carter Jackson; his children, April Jewel Jackson-Baynes, Yolandita Merilyn Jackson-James, Roy Delano Jackson, Jr., Lisa Cedelle Jackson-Reeves, Derrick Martin, and Denise Martin-Pritchett. His sisters, Doreen Editha Jackson-VanPutten, Susan Jackson-Hewitt, Calma Jackson-Edwards, and Clarice-Jackson Hall; Sons-in-law Rikky  Baynes, Steven Pritchett, Daughter-in-law Cynthia Martin, Sisters-in-law Amelia Jackson, Edris Jackson, Tammy Jackson, Georgina Bastounis, Ernie Hodge-Carty, Ruth Vanterpool, Brothers-in-law Darcy Hewitt, Paget Carter, Shawn Hall, Elvis Edwards, Caregivers Maria Taylor, Priscilla Charles, Maize Henry, 18 grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, lifelong friends, former students, former employees, mentees, colleagues, church family, and the British and US Virgin Islands communities.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Baldwin Brothers, Ocala FL. 

Services will take place on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Marion Oaks Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Ocala, FL. Viewing will begin at 9:00 am and service at 11:00 am. A memorial service is being planned for St.Thomas,  Virgin Islands on October 18, 2026 at the Philadelphia SDA Church, Raphune Hill at 10:00 am.

Thank you for honoring our Loved One’s memory through your stories, memories, and generosity.

Memorial Service - St. Thomas

We also want our family and friends in the Virgin Islands to know that a Memorial Service honoring Roy D. Jackson will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 18, 2026, at Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. This gathering will provide an opportunity for the many family members, friends, colleagues, and loved ones whose lives were touched by Roy to come together and celebrate his remarkable life and legacy. We look forward to gathering in St. Thomas to continue honoring Roy and remembering the lasting impact he made on so many people.

Travel Info

We have arranged three hotel options to accommodate family and friends traveling to Ocala, Florida to honor and celebrate Roy D. Jackson. Please review each hotel option carefully and pay close attention to the booking deadline to secure the special nightly group rate. Rooms are limited and may fill quickly, so we strongly encourage you to make your reservation as soon as possible to ensure you have accommodations for your stay.
Access the hotel information by clicking "Download" below.

Shuttle options from the Orlando Airport are available.  For more information, text Landi at 443-457-3004.

Honoring the Life & Legacy of Roy D. Jackson

This tribute page has been created as a place for family, friends, and loved ones to come together to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Roy D. Jackson. 

Here, you will find information about the Celebration of Life and Repast services in Ocala, Florida, as well as details about the upcoming Memorial Service in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. If you plan to attend the Repast in Ocala, Florida, an RSVP is required. We strongly encourage you to use the RSVP function on this page to indicate your attendance so that the family can plan accordingly. 

This page also provides an opportunity to share your memories of Roy by submitting an online tribute, along with photographs or videos that capture special moments you shared with him. With your permission, selected tributes, photographs, and videos may be included in the official funeral booklet as part of the lasting remembrance of his life. We encourage everyone who knew and loved Roy to take a moment to share a memory, a story, a photograph, or a video. You will also find information about opportunities to make a donation in Roy's honor. 

Thank you for helping us preserve, share, and celebrate the memories of a remarkable man whose legacy will continue to live on through the lives he touched.

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Tributes

August 15, 2026

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Many of times we talk about softball and baseball . Many of times you assist me and my wife with our taxes and the accounting of the Forty Plus baseball club records. Now we shall remember you for what you have done to assist many of our citizens and being a good friend ….RIP

Alcedo Justin Francis

August 15, 2026

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I honor and salute Roy Jackson on the sad occasion of his passing. He served the Virgin Island with great distinction

James OBryan Jr

Celebration of Life Services

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