Firefighter James Eugene (J.E.) “Peewee” Jackson, age 29, of Montgomery Fire/Rescue, died on January 12, 1951, after a roof collapse while fighting a fire at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

Peewee may have been small in stature, but his heart was larger than life. Known to the neighborhood kids as “Peanut,” he never missed a chance to play—tossing a football, engaging in a cap gun duel, or greeting them with a laugh on their way to school.  His fellow firefighters teased him about his size but knew when it came to fighting fire that he was the one they wanted by their side on the fireground.

He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran who served as a Private First Class with the 768 Field Artillery.

James is survived by his wife Mary; daughter Linda Sue; parents Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Jackson; sister Cora; and brothers Lucien and Henry Jr.