SOUTHWESTERN DISTRICT 

PIONEERS

DELBERT JACKSON
 

Quartet Man / Artist 
July 3, 1915 - May 28, 1982

Delbert Jackson, was a very talented barbershopper whose valuable contributions are probably unknown to the membership today. Del was a member of the Tulsa chapter and sang lead with the Chord Busters in their later years.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska July 3, 1915, he studied fine arts at the University of Nebraska and the University of Tulsa. As a youth, Del worked as a night club singer in Tulsa, Omaha and New Orleans. On radio in Tulsa his singing partner was a soon to be discovered little girl named Patti Page.
Delbert performed in El Paso at the age of sixteen at the old Crawford Theater as well as on KTSM radio. This led him to Hollywood starring in films with Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers. He also found work as a theater illustrator which fueled his love of art. He returned to Lincoln, learned drafting, and ended up in Tulsa in the "oil business". In 1942 he began a long and respected career with Pan American Petroleum Corp. and became their full-time illustrator in 1954.
One of his many claims to fame came in 1958 when he was commissioned by the society to paint the two official portraits that now grace very special places of honor in Harmony Hall. These outstanding paintings are of his fellow Tulsa chapter members, O.C. Cash and Rupert Hall. Both appeared on the cover of the Harmonizer (March '58, and March '59) on their completion and presentation to the society. The Cash portrait hangs over the fireplace in the Founder's Room and Hall's portrait hangs over the fireplace in the Past Presidents 

Room. Both have been admired by thousands of visitors to our international headquarters. The only time these two paintings have been displayed outside Kenosha was during the 50th anniversary convention in San Antonio in the historical exhibit there.
Delbert became proficient in the rare "stipple" technique and created impressive portraits of notable historical figures John Wayne, George Patton, Will Rogers, Harry Truman. and Teddy Roosevelt. He was well known for other works of art by creating landscapes, sculptures, and murals. One mural still on public display can be found just inside the entrance of the Old City Hall (4th and Cheyenne) in downtown Tulsa.
A loyal Shriner, Mr. Jackson was often asked to illustrate the cover of circus programs and used one of his favorite subjects, a fellow shriner, Wffi Rogers. Another discipline in the area of art was his immaculate precision of medical illustrations for Hillcrest Medical Center. He became one of the most sought after and respected artists in this field.
His most massive piece of work is his "Panorama of Petroleum". It measures 13 by 56 feet, weighs 350 pounds and, working on it in his spare