Former Fort Valley State University basketball coach Sammy Jackson, 59, was found dead in Atlanta on January 30, 2025, after he was reported missing on January 27.
His disappearance parked a desperate search that sadly ended in heartache for his friends and family.
On January 26, Jill Jackson last spoke with her husband as he was getting ready to start his shift as an Uber Eats driver at Buc-ee’s on Russell Parkway in Fort Valley, Georgia.
In their conversation, he told her that he was going to work.
But at about 2:15 AM on January 27, he sent his wife an alarming text that read, “Do you know my social security number?” That was the last message from him before he disappeared.
After his disappearance, Jill reported that he was missing when she could not contact him by telephone.
The manhunt increased when the police found his silver 2018 BMW 540i with help from the BMW corporation and local authorities.
He was last seen in a Dollar General store in either Warner Robins or Macon at about 10 PM on January 26 in a photo from a security camera, after which all efforts to find him were unsuccessful until the discovery of his body.
Peach County Coroner Kerry Rooks confirmed that Jackson’s body was found in the Atlanta area on January 30.
Authorities are investigating the cause of his death and are treating it as a homicide.
Sammy Jackson’s Death Has Deeply Affected The Community, Mourning The Loss Of A Beloved Individual.
Sammy Jackosn was the men’s head basketball coach at Fort Valley State University from 2011-2018, leading the Wildcats to several winning seasons and two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championship game appearances.
His coaching term included stops at Alabama A&M University, Savannah State University, Georgia Southern University, and Tennessee State University.
Before becoming a coach, Jackson was an outstanding player in his own right.
He was captain of the University of Montevallo basketball team and earned all-conference honors.
He played professionally in the Continental Basketball Association and semi-professionally for the Birmingham Magic after college.
Aside from basketball coaching, Jackson was also a Bibb County School System teacher and most recently taught at Howard Middle School.
Barbara Jackson, Sammy’s sister, felt devastated by the loss of her brother.
In an emotional statement posted on Facebook,
“It’s said that we are not suppose to question GOD…But I still wanna ask why..Our Hearts are so Heavy….Why didn’t u just take the car & go why did u have to shoot & kill him he would have given you that car because material things never mattered to him…He had a Heart of GOLD & would have helped anybody in the world….Our love 1 is
Via facebook
gone & we are not ready to except it..”
The news of Sammy Jackson’s death has left the community in shock.
Friends, former players, and colleagues have gone on social media to pay their respects and share stories of a man who touched many lives throughout his coaching career.
Kareem Kenney, former Associate Head Coach at Fort Valley, shared his memories of Sammy and wrote,
“This one really hurts and hits different Sammy Jackson spent his whole life helping people! Always giving and helping others. I’ve NEVER meet anyone more generous and selfless. He gave me my first opportunity coaching on the college level at FVSU in 2012.
Via Facebook
REST EASY MY FRIEND you made your mark in this life and I am greatful for you.’
One of the close ones expressed their heartfelt condolences and wrote,
“He always said be great at whatever you do and nothing less. We thank God for the time he gave you to us. No we don’t like the outcome and we have so many questions of why. The amount of love that has been showed towards you from the beginning to the end you are indeed loved by many. They didn’t have to take you from your family, and your friends one of the sweetest person I know. R.i.h Coach Sammy Jackson”
Via Facebook
Authorities investigate the tragedy as friends remember Sammy Jackson as a mentor and coach.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jackson was a Headland High School basketball standout in 1982.
- He joined the Henry County Sports Hall of Fame’s inaugural class 2019.
- His first head coaching role was at Savannah State from 1999-2000.
