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Former state Rep. Alphonse Jackson dead at 87

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Former state Rep. Alphonse Jackson, a civil rights activist and charter member of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, has died.

Jackson died Tuesday at The Crossing at Clarity Hospice of Baton Rouge. He was 87.

The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/13wHjJH ) Jackson, who was born in Shreveport, was the first black legislator to be elected from Caddo Parish since Reconstruction when he won the state House District 2 seat in 1972. He served until 1992.

Senate President John A. Alario Jr. offered condolences to Jackson's family Wednesday.

"We are all deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague, Alphonse Jackson, Jr.," Alario said in a statement. "He was a tireless public servant whose many accomplishments inspire us all. In addition to his service in the Louisiana Legislature, Rep. Jackson was a dedicated educator, World War II Veteran and civil rights leader.

"Helping to found the Legislative Black Caucus and serving as a delegate to the Louisiana Constitutional Convention of 1973 are among the numerous highlights of his celebrated legislative career. I am privileged to have known him and the State of Louisiana is a better place because of his efforts."

KTBS reports (http://bit.ly/1rhGQX4 ) outgoing Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover described Jackson as "iconic."

"He was a living manifestation of courage, poise and intellect," Glover said via Twitter.

Shreveport Mayor-elect Ollie Tyler said Jackson was a "community champion."

"He was a passionate educator and someone who was the voice for those who could not speak for themselves," Tyler said. "So many of us looked to him for leadership and inspiration. He was always very supportive of me and education in Caddo Parish. He was a wonderful person who truly will be missed."

A U.S. Army veteran, Jackson was among military members who helped with nuclear debris cleanup in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, following World War II.

After his departure from the Legislature he worked as a public affairs consultant for The Hurst Group, a public relations and government affairs firm. He organized grassroots advocacy campaigns, lobbied the Louisiana Legislature and implemented public relations programs for his clients.

Jackson is survived by his wife of 21 years, Glenda Hurst Jackson of Baton Rouge; daughters, former state Sen. Lydia P. Jackson and Angela E. Jackson of Shreveport; stepdaughter, Andrea M. Archie of Atlanta, Georgia; grandson, Jacobi D. Glenn of Atlanta, Georgia; and sister, Olive "Ollie" Gibson of Shreveport.

Visitation will be on Saturday at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Baton Rouge at 8 a.m. until funeral services begin at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Gardens.