“Never quit!” Those two words spoken by James Jackson, the father of Eric Jackson has echoed over and over in EJ’s mind throughout his life. However, it’s just one of many declarations and rules that James instilled upon the young EJ growing up that shaped his future.
James grew up in the depression era in Leetonia, Ohio, with his single Mother and younger sister. At the age o f 10 he started constructing model airplanes. James enlisted into the Army and decided to become a paratrooper serving in the 82nd Airborne with over 80 jumps in the inaugural group of Special Forces known as the Green Berets.
“Dad has some awesome stories that have taught me a lot about how to do things differently than in society in order to be extraordinary,” EJ noted.
After leaving the Army, James became an engineer for Piper Aircraft. He was an exceptional engineer and even won the “Best Homebuilt” category of the 1972 Oshkosh Air Show for a full-sized biplane he built in the basement of their small ranch home in Woolrich, Pennsylvania. When it comes to building James noted, “You name it, I can probably design it.”
Growing up EJ and his father did numerous projects and activities. “I always went for the hardest, most challenging things to do,” James went on, “I would see a project or task and always think I could do it.” That mindset was passed on to young EJ.
Piper Aircraft transferred James to Lakeland, Florida, were EJ and his family lived for 4 years. During that period of time EJ and his father spent time bass fishing and competed in model airplane competitions. EJ got to be an exceptional pilot with model planes at a young age and could consistently out fly older pilots. His father built the best planes even winning almost every competition he entered.
One thing James did long for wasn’t in Florida was a change of season. He wanted to ski and whitewater kayak in his dream location of New Hampshire. In 1979 the Jackson’s move to New Hampshire after the big storm and got a job at the Nashua Corporation designing a copy machine.
They immediately started whitewater canoeing and joined the Merrimack Valley Paddlers Club; in addition to buying a couple of kayaks at the Wilderness Outfitters in Amherst. Later James would become the club president and grew the club from 40 members to 150 in two years. This induction to whitewater sparked EJ’s journey to becoming a 4-time World Champion and Olympian kayaker.
EJ noted his father had several rules or one-liners that he followed and taught him. “My Dad constantly said you can beat 90% of everyone by working harder than them. I took that to heart in every athletic challenge I ever faced,” said EJ. An example EJ gave of this was winning the “Dedication, Determination and Desire” award given by the Nashua YMCA swim coach Greg Derderian. “I wanted to win and always focused on going longer, harder and never being outworked.
“You must take 100% responsibility for every relationship you are in to guarantee its success. There is no 50/50,” James would say. He was impressing upon EJ that his 50 percent and the other person’s 50 percent will not always match up. Going all the way and they will drop their guard then you will make it work. “Dad applied this in marriage and other important relationships in his life,” said EJ.
Another one James would say was “Don’t argue; you can’t win an argument.” EJ noted that his father was fine with a healthy debate of facts or information, but having a position and arguing it never helped anything.
Corporal punishment was a part of growing up for young EJ. At times on the receiving end of a paddleable offense to rules not followed by EJ. “Yes, I grew up with corporal punishment and that’s something most people today may not be impressed with, but it was up to me as a kid to follow the rules. Believe me, I knew the rules well and it was never a surprise if I got paddled,” said EJ.
“Don’t complain; no one likes a complainer,” his father would said. “I believe Dad created this rule specifically for me; I think when I was 5 years old. I was constantly complaining to my Mom and she was frustrated to the point of not knowing what to do with me. It resulted in a paddable offense after one warning plus I wanted people to like me that changed my complainer behavior,” EJ went on, “To this day people wonder why I never complain when the chips are down, but it’s because of how I was raised.”
After high school, EJ went on to college majoring in engineering. After three years of engineering school, EJ decided to drop out to pursue kayaking. “I told him that I would not give him any money to chase a life of kayaking, however, he had made up his mind and EJ said he was going to do whatever it took and he did,” said James. EJ being EJ he did just that and had many interesting ways to survive, including pulling rickshaws, wait tables, try to get sponsors, even knocking on doors for donations.
In 1983 EJ’s mother passed away from bone cancer. Later in 1985 James would meet his current wife Beth O’Connell whom he is currently still married to today.
His father never gave him any money to live or start a company; however, James did continue to be part of EJ’s family. “I traveled to the Olympics he participated in and visited Jackson Kayaks a company that my son founded and built,” James continued, “I remember thinking this kayak plant was pretty good size and thinking when looking at his large inventory he will probably never sell them, but his drive to accomplish his goals allowed him success at selling them.” Beth concurred, “If anyone can make it work, EJ can do it.”
Being successful in business and home was something that his father taught him. “My dad never worked overtime or weekends. When it was time to leave he was out the door,” said EJ.
“I think that EJ learned how important family is and to always put it first,” Beth continued, “He knows how to balance his family life making sure to put his family first. They traveled together in an RV; home schooled the kids and went all over the country. EJ doesn’t see obstacles. More like challenges to overcome and he has in his businesses.”
Today, James is 83 years old, but his influence on EJ can be seen every day in his persona. EJ’s new company Apex Watercraft and other enterprises; in addition to spending quality family time.
“If I taught EJ one thing it was to keep your eye on the goal and the goal to win,” James went on, “Never quit!”
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