Robert Dean Jamison, 97, of Salem, Illinois passed away on December 17, 2022, at Stone Bridge Memory Care in Mt. Vernon.
Bob was born February 3, 1925, in Bridgeport, IL to the late V.A. (Jim) Jamison and Nellie Roberts Jamison. He married Virginia Cain on June 6, 1948. She preceded him in death on November 24, 2012. Bob is survived by his son Robert Jamison (Susan) of Murfreesboro, TN; daughter Suzanne Meyering of Summerfield, FL; grandson Bill Meyering (Amy) of Denver, Co; Tom Jamison (Chelsea) of St. Louis, MO; his sister Lou Bonnell of Robinson, IL, many nieces, and nephews. Bob was also preceded in death by his grandson David Jamison, son-in-law David Meyering, and sisters Audrey Johnson, Catherine Maus, and Margaret Wiley.
Bob served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was in Europe, the Philippines, and Japan. He was a sergeant in the Signal Corps. He was actually at the top of a pole-stringing communication wire when he heard that the war in Europe was over. He often recalled how quickly he came down to celebrate, and always wondered why he wasn’t full of splinters!
Bob attended Eureka College as part of the G.I. Bill of Rights and his first teaching job was in 1958-59 in Kirkwood, MO. Bob and Virginia moved to Salem in 1960 and continued their teaching careers. After teaching in Patoka for a couple of years, Bob then started teaching at the Salem Jr. High School in 1963. However, he is best known as the Salem High School chemistry and science teacher, having taught students from 1964-1982.
Throughout his life, Bob was heavily involved in baseball. He coached the Salem High School team beginning in 1967. He served in many capacities with Salem Little League and was especially proud to have a field dedicated in his honor. Bob also worked as a scout for the Cincinnati Reds throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
Bob was a member of the First Christian Church, the American Legion, and the Salem Sports Hall of Fame. He was a regular at Sharon’s Cafe, and especially enjoyed when former students would greet him and share memories. For the past 10 months, he was cared for at Stone Bridge Memory Care in Mount Vernon, IL. We appreciate the Stone Bridge staff and their kindness and compassion.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2022, in the chapel of Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home in Salem. Visiting hours will be from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery with Military Honors accorded at the graveside by the Salem American Legion Post #128. The family suggests memorials be made to the First Christian Church in Salem or the Salem Little League and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 97, 310 North Broadway, Salem, Illinois 62881 (618)548-1234, entrusted with the family’s care. Online condolences may be left at www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com
