Jackson Rohm, center, is pictured with Dale Pierce at left and Ed Harrell. A native of Lakewood, Rohm was an established singer-songwriter and known for his charitable efforts. Photo courtesy of Dale Pierce

Jackson Rohm may be best known as the Lakewood kid who began his musical career playing a middle school dance and who later became an accomplished singer-songwriter. But Rohm also had an affinity to helping others — often using his musical talents to raise money, awareness and the spirits of those facing hardship.

Many of his efforts, some public such as the benefit concerts for the United Way and others more private, were noted in dozens of personal accounts and tributes posted to social media Wednesday following his sudden passing this week.

He was a 1989 graduate of Southwestern High School. During his senior year he was awarded the Frank Hyde Memorial Scholarship, presented in memory of the late Frank Hyde, sports editor of The Post-Journal from 1945-79. It is awarded annually to an outstanding college-bound athlete.

Tom Priester, a retired physical education teacher and cross country coach at Southwestern Central School, remembered Rohm as a “super nice kid” and an ideal student.

“Regardless of the setting, Jackson always did what he was asked to do,” Priester said. “He was a great friend to everyone, a great teammate, and he always encouraged and supported those around him.”

Jackson Rohm is pictured in 1989. In addition to running at Southwestern, Rohm was also a member of the Chautauqua Striders Track Club. P-J file photo

While a successful student athlete, Rohm’s career in music actually began at a middle school dance where he performed with his band. It wasn’t until his senior year of college at Miami University in Ohio where he developed a following at his weekly acoustic shows. Realizing his music could be a potential career, he became a full-time musician.

Among his most proudest accomplishments was singing the National Anthem at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

HOMETOWN FAVORITE

In the years following his establishment as a singer-songwriter, which included the release of seven full-length albums, Rohm often returned to Chautauqua County for various fundraising efforts. As a noted track record holder at Southwestern Central School, he performed at the high school in 2007, with proceeds from a show going toward the district’s Athletic Complex Fund. In 2009, Rohm was back at Southwestern to help the local United Way chapter kick off its annual campaign drive.

He performed at local shows, both large and small, from the Thursday in the Village Green Park in Mayville to being a guest and judge on the Floating Stage for Chautauqua Lake Idol.

Rohm graduated from Southwestern in 1989. He released several albums in his musical career and once sang the National Anthem at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Rohm also touched many lives through personal gestures not meant to generate publicity. That was certainly the case in August 2007 when he sang a few songs with his guitar to a woman in her bed at WCA Hospital in Jamestown.

Dale Pierce went to Falconer Central School and knew Rohm from the rival Southwestern. On Wednesday, he remembered the talented musician as a “very special person to so many of us.”

Pierce, who lives in the Charlotte area in North Carolina, recalled the day that Rohm visited his aunt at the hospital. A fan of live performances, his aunt had come to love Rohm’s music and was treated to a personal show inside her hospital room.

“He came to comfort one of our loved ones in her last days, actually playing in her room at WCA, with his angelic voice,” Pierce told The Post-Journal. “In the years that followed, I reconnected with Jackson, after I had moved to the Charlotte area. So many Western New York folks live here, and Jackson had a rather large following in this area.”

Rohm even played at a private event Pierce hosted with his husband in North Carolina.

“Over the years, whenever I picked up the phone, if he was available, he would be there for grand openings, Christmas parties and, more importantly, charity fundraisers I hosted,” he said. “His heart was bigger than his incredible voice. I will always cherish our friendship.”

A TRIBUTE TO A CHILDHOOD FRIEND

Rohm was part of a group that helped organize a run in memory of Amy King, the Celoron native who died in the 9/11 attacks in New York City. Rohm first came to know King when they attended Celoron Elementary School in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

In 2019, Rohm discussed with Post-Journal sports editor Scott Kindberg his friendship with King.

“Amy was one of those unique kids that was friends with most everyone, not just within a certain clique, like many of us,” Rohm told Kindberg by email. “This was true of her through middle school, high school and beyond. She really was the sweetest girl, and most boys had a crush on her back then, as much due to her personality as her pretty face, not to mention her roller-skating prowess.”

With shared interests in running, Rohm, Priester — the former Southwestern cross country coach — and Tom Anderson believed it was only natural to hold a 5K race/walk in King’s memory. In less than three months after 9/11, the first Amy’s Run was held.

“It was one of those rare 72-degree, late-November days and people came out in force to run or walk in Amy’s memory,” Rohm recalled. “It was moving to see how our community came together in memory of Amy.”

It was at that first race in 2001 he was invited to sing “To Amy, With Love,” a song he had written about King after her passing. “I struggled to keep it together,” Rohm said in 2019. “I still cannot look in her mother’s or father’s eyes while I sing that song.”

‘CAPTURING HEARTS’

Several people who knew Rohm took to social media on Wednesday to offer condolences to his family and recount memories.

Bill Ward, president of Chautauqua Rails to Trails and local musician, offered the following:

“Many years ago I would play barn parties for Bob Rohm and young Jackson would be bouncing around capturing hearts even as a child. Flash forward a few years and Jackson was getting his legs under him as a performer and would call me for advice on gear, sound systems, etc., and then sit in during my breaks at Webbs. Watching him evolve into a seasoned and dynamic performer as well as a gifted and generous community leader, friend and family man was a tremendous joy of my life. Jackson Rohm will be missed, and I am heartbroken for his family, friends and fans.”

Jason Sample, station manager at WRFA, stated: “In the summer of 1996 I spent many Monday nights at the Casino in Bemus Point … and that was my first initiation to Jackson Rohm, a local singer and guitarist who seemed to be able to play and sing any song with ease. His talent only continued to grow the past 25-plus years. It’s sad to learn someone who still looked young and healthy has suddenly passed away. Condolences to his many friends, family members and fans.”

Tricia Conklin, Southwestern school nurse and attended high school with Jackson: “My fondest memories of Jackson were his love for music and holding family friendly concerts at local establishments for everyone to enjoy. My kids grew up listening to Jackson’s CDs and it was extra special when they could go see him in ‘concert’ at the Lakewood beach, Celoron Park or Mayville Park. We always looked forward to the Fourth of July because we knew we would be seeing him at the Village Casino in Bemus Point.”