Obituary: Brendan Jackson Civil Rights Litigation Initiative Mourns Student Attorney

Obituary: Brendan Jackson Civil Rights Litigation Initiative Mourns Student Attorney: Brendan Lawrence Jackson, aged 26, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, on May 10, 2024.Brendan was born on February 1, 1998, in Flint, MI. Brendan loved reading, playing with his sisters and many cousins, and watching Scooby-Doo (some things never changed.) He became an avid skier, competing for Grand Blanc High School and going on ski trips with friends and family. Even at a young age, everyone could tell that Brendan was brilliant – his dad will tell anyone who will listen about Brendan’s Eagle Scout project and his perfect ACT score.
Brendan graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he studied Computer Science in Engineering. He was a leader amongst his peers within the Shipman Scholars, MUNUM, and Theta Tau while still finding time to attend numerous concerts and music festivals. Following graduation, Brendan briefly moved to Madison, WI, where he worked for Shop Bop. However, Brendan found his work unfulfilling and decided to leave the corporate world to make a more direct positive impact on the world through legal action.
While applying for law school, Brendan was diagnosed with Sclerosing Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma, an ultra-rare cancer. Following a successful surgery to remove his initial tumor at the University of Michigan, Brendan decided to stay in Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan Law School.
While in Law School, Brendan fiercely advocated for those in need. He spent time working with the Michigan Civil Rights Litigation Initiative, ACLU, UM Human Trafficking Clinic, and Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s office. He was prepared to begin work in June with Legal Services of South Central Michigan to provide pro-bono legal aid. Brendan was passionate about advocating for the queer and disabled communities as well as those who were victims of unfair, unjust, and discriminatory practices.
The decision to return to Ann Arbor for law school in 2021 was pivotal, as that led to Brendan reconnecting with a former undergraduate teaching assistant who had taught him during his first engineering class at Michigan. James and Brendan reconnected that June while Brendan was adventuring with his family on a cross-country national parks road trip. When their first date lasted for five days, it was obvious that Brendan and James would be together for the long term.
Brendan and James were quickly engaged in June 2022 and were married in front of 200 friends and family in Charlevoix, MI, on October 20, 2023. Northern Michigan was a special place for Brendan; he loved spending time with family and friends in Petoskey, especially taking them to the local bookstore and coffee shop. They set out on a nearly 3-week European adventure to explore Italy, Switzerland, and France together to celebrate their honeymoon over Christmas and the New Year. Brendan would go on to say that it was the best trip of his life.
Brendan and James knew their time together would be limited and sought to live life to the fullest. They rescued a puppy named Percy Jackson, traveled the world (in style) on cruise ships and jets, across oceans and mountains, and attended concerts for their favorite artists (including Taylor Swift, of course.) Avid foodies and board game nerds, their house was always packed with friends and family enjoying board game nights and extravagant dinner parties.
Unfortunately, Brendan’s cancer ultimately beat his body, but never Brendan’s mind. Brendan will be remembered for his iconic eye rolls, razor-sharp wit, obsession with books and board games, and love of pop music.
Brendan is survived by his husband, James Coller (and their loving pup, Percy Jackson); parents Rick and Lori Jackson; sisters Alexis and Maggie Jackson (and Juno, too); grandparents Darrell and Jan Sprague and Jim and Melanie Jackson; aunts and uncles Dave and Jackie Sprague, Amy and Joe Hollowell, Theresa Jackson, Larry and Julie Jackson, dozens of cousins and great aunts and uncles, and many close friends that became family.
Brendan’s wish was to help the world, and he was determined to do anything he could to prevent others from experiencing the pain of cancer. Brendan made a final gift to the world by donating his cancerous tissue to the
Donations can be made in Brendan’s name to the Rucker Collier Foundation at www.ruckercollierfoundation.com/donate
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Nie Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103. A second opportunity to visit will be held Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., with a service beginning at 12:00 p.m. Immediately following, a Celebration of Life will be held at Venue by 4M, 1919 S. Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48104.