Ernest Eugene Jacks (1925-2020) was born in Memphis, Tennessee and spent most of his childhood in West Memphis, Arkansas.

Jacks served as a naval aviation radar technician, Petty Officer 1st Class, Flight Test Squadron during World War II.1946, after leaving the Navy, Ernie attended Arkansas State University, Jacks met Nita Allen who he married the following year. The couple moved to Fayetteville, where Jacks entered the University of Arkansas. A member of the first graduating class from the Department of Architecture, Jacks graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.

Jacks’ first professional job was with architect Edward Durell Stone and Erhart, Eichenbaum and Rauch offices in Little Rock was cut short. In 1951, Jacks was called to serve in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. His position as structural draftsman, 1st Class, took him to Kodiak Island, Alaska, and then Coronado Island, California. At the close of the war, he remained in California to join the firm of noted architect Craig Ellwood. 1952, the Jacks moved to Norman , Oklahoma where Jacks did graduate work in design studying with architect Bruce Goff at the University of Oklahoma. In 1954, the couple returned to Arkansas and Jacks again worked for Erhart, Eichenbaum and Rauch in Little Rock.

In 1955, the Jacks moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, were Ernie Jacks became an associate of and opened an office for Edward Durell Stone. Shortly thereafter, he was given responsibility for opening an additional office for Stone in Palo Alto, California. Upon their return to Arkansas in 1956, Jacks worked on projects with Stone including University of Arkansas related projects Carlson Terrace Married Student Housing and the Sigma Nu Fraternity House. In 1958, a daughter, Jennifer was born. Soon after, the Jacks family moved to Manhattan, New York for Ernie to work for Stone’s main office. Here, Ernie worked closely with Stone and made contributions to a number of significant projects including the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, the U.S. Pavilion at the Brussels World Fair, the National Museum in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Early in 1961, Jacks was hired as an associate and chief designer by Raleigh, North Carolina firm Hollaway, Reeves and Associates. An offer to teach at the University of Arkansas brought the Jacks family back to Fayetteville, Arkansas later that same year. Jacks had taught at the University until 1995. He served as Associate Dean of the School of Architecture from 1975-1988. While he officially retired in 1992, he continued to teach as a lecture class as an Emeritus Professor for an additional three years. While teaching, Jacks remained engaged in design outside of his academic commitments. He had his own architectural practice where he worked and independently and collaborated with other local architects until 1975 when his University related administrative responsibilities increased and the firm was closed. Even after the closure, Jacks continued to serve as an expert and a consultant for other design professionals.

Jacks served as both as member and the chairperson of the Fayetteville Planning Commission from 1964 to 1990. His contributions to many significant decisions and plans influenced the ongoing development and appearance of the City of Fayetteville. His work included and was instrumental in developing two general growth plans (1970 and 1990), as well as a sign ordinance, greenspace/parks ordinance, screening and landscaping ordinances and bypass ordinance.

In his retirement, Jacks focused on scholarly pursuits. He contributed to the processing of the Edward Durell Stone Papers (MC 340) . Jacks also researched and wrote two manuscripts, “Remembering Craig Ellwood” and “The Elegant Bohemian” on Edward Durell Stone. Neither manuscript has been published.

Jacks died February 14, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.