Biography: Jackson Colin McPhail

Jackson "Jack" McPhail was born on September 12, 1921 to Colin Earl McPhail and Maureen Brennan McPhail of Abbeville, Mississippi. Jack is the youngest of eight children, three brothers and four sisters. His oldest brother, Weston Earl McPhail lives in Burlington, North Carolina with his wife Judith. Their son and Jack's nephew, John Weston McPhail lives in Oxford and is co-owner of the McPhail and Elias accounting firm.

His sisters Elizabeth Irene (b. 1908) and Ashley Rose (b. 1911) both died in 1985. His brother, Robert Brennan McPhail (b. 1909) lives in California with his wife June. Jackson's sister Helen Gene Draper (b.1913) lives in Texas with her daughter Norma, sister Margaret Ellen Neuberg (b. 1915) lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. Jackson's brother, John Maxwell McPhail (born 11/9/18) was killed in action during World War II at Bougainville on November 1, 1942. He served in the U.S. 3rd Marine Division.

Jackson served in World War II from 1943 through 1945 as a Platoon Sergeant under General Krueger in the 6th Army, Pacific Theater. He entered the war in the New Guinea Campaign seeing action at Salamaua, Finschhafen and Wareo in 1943 and in 1944 at Hollandia. Jackson's distinguished service record includes receipt of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Jackson McPhail returned to Mississippi in 1946 attending the University of Mississippi under the GI bill. Jack focused on a career in law enforcement taking all of the criminology courses offered by the Sociology department. He graduated in 1950 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology. Jack joined the Yoknapatawpha Sheriff's Department in June 1950 as a Deputy and within two years had risen to the rank of Detective. Jack's reputation within the Sheriff's department and the community was one of a tough, no-nonsense law enforcement officer, extremely competent and fair.

Jack married Oxford native, Jean Louise Dreher on January 8, 1949. They were divorced in May of 1950. He married Marguerite Ryan of Jackson on June 16, 1962. Their daughter, Grace Rose was born October 2, 1963. Grace is married to Matthew Whitney. They live in Houston, Texas with their two children Max (b. 1979) and Rachel (b. 1981). Marguerite McPhail died in 1996.

Jack retired from the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department in 1977. He lives in Oxford.