JACK COLLINS ROBERTSON

Jack Collins Robertson, a prominent life and health insurance executive, died Saturday, March 20, 1999. He was 79.

He was born March 10, 1920 in Ironton, Missouri to the late Duncan M. Robertson and Virginia M. Robertson. He was reared in Ironton and attended elementary and secondary school there. He was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University.

He is survived by his wife, Nellie Jackson Robertson; a son, Michael D. Robertson and wife, June, of Atlanta, Ga.; a sister, Mary Virginia Robertson Lindig and husband, Robert, of San Diego, Calif.

Also surviving is a granddaughter, Laura Robertson Bratton and her husband, Tommy, of Belton, S.C.

He was preceded in death by a son, Patrick W. Robertson in 1975, and a grandson, Brian M. Robertson in 1991.

In January, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Corps as an aviation cadet and received his Navy Pilot Wings at Pensacola, Fla. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a dive bomber pilot in the South Pacific in World War II, and flew 100 combat missions.

Robertson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with four gold stars, the Air Medal with four gold stars, the Naval Unit Citation, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Philippines Liberation Medal with two combat stars and a number of lesser decorations.

He was released from active duty with the permanent rank of Captain and served as a Lt. Colonel in the reserves.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ironton, the New Madrid Masonic Lodge, 429 A.F.& A.M., Cape Girardeau American Legion post 63 and VFW post 3838 in Cape Girardeau.

At the time of his death, he resided with his wife, Nellie, at 412 Penrod Place, Cape Girardeau Missouri.

The body will lie in state at Ford and Sons Funeral Home on Mt. Auburn Road. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today.

Funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. Burial will follow at the Knights of Pythius Cemetery in Ironton.