James Earl "Jimmy" Jackson

July 28, 1956 - June 17, 2008

Jimmy Jackson, a former Olympic wrestler and three-time NCAA heavyweight champion at Oklahoma State, has died. He was 51. Jackson had been suffering from diabetes and congestive heart failure before his death Tuesday in East Lansing, Mich., according to a statement released Wednesday by Oklahoma State.

Cowboys coach John Smith said "we lost our great heavyweight, Jimmy Jackson."

Jackson won consecutive NCAA titles from 1976 to 1978 and competed in the 1976 Montreal Games, reaching the third round.

Jackson had an 88-9-2 record at Oklahoma State and finished his career with a perfect 29-0 senior season.

He had 44 career pins and at one point had 46 straight matches without a loss.

He and Richard Hutton are the only wrestlers to win three heavyweight titles at Oklahoma State, which has won more team national championships than any other school.

Services were planned Saturday at Brown's Funeral Chapel in Grand Rapids, Mich. A visitation was to be held Friday.

Jackson is survived by his wife, Katie, along with two stepdaughters and four grandchildren.