Jackson B. Gilbert, age 91, of Charlottesville, VA, died on February 22, 2024.

Born in Houston, Texas to Mr. & Mrs. C. Randolph Gilbert of Norfolk, VA. Jackson grew up in Norfolk, VA. He attended Granby High School where he played on the State Champion basketball team led by well-known Lefty Driesell. He graduated from UVA College of Arts and Sciences in 1953 and from UVA Law School in June of 1956 where he was on the Law Review Board and a student assistant to Professor Mortimer Caplan. Upon graduation, he joined Sullivan & Cromwell in New York until his interim military service from 1956-1960 after which he returned to Sullivan & Cromwell. In 1961, he married the love of his life, Maria Diez y Ponce de León in Madrid, Spain. In 1965, Jackson became general counsel of a Peruvian client of Sullivan & Cromwell until 1967 when he became Vice President of JP Morgan in NY. There, he held a variety of positions including representing the Iberian Peninsula and Portuguese Africa, managing director of the Morgan bank in Italy, and Senior Vice President in charge of JP Morgan’s business in Latin America. In 1984, Jackson became President of Morgan Guaranty International Finance Company where he was responsible for the forward strategy and planning. In 1985, Jackson became Vice Chairman of Riggs National Bank in Washington, DC. and in 1989, he began consulting with various banks in Europe, including Espirito Santo Bank. In 2013, he returned to his beloved Charlottesville and supported the UVA College Foundation as a Trustee with the UVA College Foundation where he remained trustee emeritus. Jackson was also a former trustee of the Washington Opera, and trustee emeritus of the Fralin Museum in Charlottesville. For his contribution to developing relationships between US and Italian businesses, Jackson was awarded the title of Commendatore by the Italian Government in 1976. He was a lover of fine wines and food, antiques and Chinese export porcelain, travel and classical music. A true Renaissance man, he was a gifted pianist, accomplished marksman and a generous man of integrity. His wise counsel and dry wit will be missed by all who knew him.

Jackson was survived for 28 days by his beloved wife of over 62 years, Maria de las Mercedes Diez y Ponce de Leon originally from Jerez, Spain; his two daughters and their husbands, Allegra & Joseph Helms, Dr. Victoria Gilbert & Christopher Maksymowicz; as well as his grandchildren, Marisol Helms and Casimir Maksymowicz; and his nephews, Scott Gilbert and Bennett Gilbert and their families.

For more on services and to share your condolences, visit Hill and Wood Funeral Services.