Andrew Betts Jackson of Sebring passed away early Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Born Jan. 6, 1936, in Sebring at Dr. Weems Hospital, Mr. Jackson was a 1954 graduate of Sebring High School; graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Juris Law, and was admitted to the Florida Bar 1964. He practiced law in Highlands County for nearly 50 years.

While attending the University of Florida, Mr. Jackson played baseball for the Gators and served two terms as president of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He served in the United States Army including service at the Pentagon and in the Far East theatre stationed at Camp Zama, Japan, where he was a member of the U.S. Far East Champs Baseball Team.

Mr. Jackson was the first elected Republican in Highlands county serving as County Commissioner, District 4 and later serving District 3. He served as Highlands County Republican State Committeeman, 1980-1996.

Some of his community activities include past president of the Highlands County Cattlemen’s Association, past President of the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce and former director of the Sebring Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Highland County Property Owners Association, and founding member of the Highlands County Lay Education Committee. He coached Dixie Youth baseball and Little League, was past president of the Lake Placid Jaycees, and lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Sebring.

Preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel Burke Jackson and Ruby Ione Rivers Jackson, Mr. Jackson is survived by his wife, Ida Dorman Jackson; sons Nathaniel Burke Jackson (Diana), of Alamogordo, N.M.; Randall Kevin Jackson (Carolyn) of Mineola, Texas; daughters Crystal Leigh Jackson of Gainesville and Amber Lynn Jackson of Deland; sisters, Sarah Virginia (Jackson) Thomas (Dr. Gerald Monroe Thomas) of Athens, Ga, and their children Gerald M. Thomas (Gail), Dr. Stuart J. Thomas (Sharon), Sue Thomas Townsend (Whit); sister Patricia Ione (Jackson) Lukens (Samuel), and their children, Pricilla Lukens, Carol Lukens McFadden (James), Mark Lukens (Pat); sister-in-law Evelyn Sapp (Gerald “Gator”) of Palmdale; brother-in-law, Dr. John Dorman (Barbara) of Gainesville; brother-in-law Charles Dorman (Kim) of Sebring; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Sebring Capital Improvement Fund or Music Fund, 200 E. Center Ave., Sebring, FL 33870, or Youth Baseball of Sebring, Inc., PO Box 1178, Sebring, FL 33871.

Services were held Saturday, Feb. 2, at First Baptist Church of Sebring. Arrangements were under the direction of Morris Funeral Chapel, Sebring.