DuPont letter about Joe Jackson

In a letter sent to DuPont employees on Monday, October 25, Ed Donnelly, group vice president - DuPont Coatings & Color Technologies, wrote:

"By now, many of you have heard that a Hendrick Motorsports aircraft crashed yesterday near Martinsville, Va., the site of yesterday's NASCAR race. Joe Jackson, a dear member of our DPC family, perished in that crash, along with members of the Hendrick family and staff members.

"NASCAR was a passion for Joe. He loved the sport and our role in it. His dedication to our business was apparent to all of us. But more than that, Joe, his DuPont colleagues and the Hendrick team were like family.

"We will have information very shortly about how all of us in the DPC family can join in an expression of our love and support for Joe and his family.

"Of course, there will be many tributes to Joe, large and small. And aside from the official observances, we will all mourn and celebrate him in our own way.

"All of our energies now must be devoted to doing everything humanly possible to support the family of friend and colleague. Joe's wife, Jan, his children, Jayne and Jeff, and his other loved ones are in our prayers. Their grief is our grief.

"We will have information very shortly about how all of us in the DPC family can join in an expression of our love and support for Joe and his family.

"For now, though, just remember Joe."

Jackson, 58, was the Director of Motorsports for DuPont and a 36-year employee of DuPont's Automotive Refinish business. He was a graduate of the Citadel and served his country in the Army as a Cobra pilot during the Vietnam War.

He is survived by wife Jan Jackson, daughter Jayne White, son Jeff and two grandchildren.

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