MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. Nelson Jackson, founder of Sunway Charters and Tours here, died earlier this month just a few days short of his 90th birthday.

During a long career, Mr. Jackson built a diversified (and highly successful) business organization and, at the same time, became a well-known promoter of Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand.

He and his wife of 68 years, Mary Emily, shared numerous awards for their impact on Myrtle Beach and South Carolina. In 2001, for example, they were named Citizen(s) of the Year by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce; they received the Order of the Palmetto from the governor in 2004; the South Carolina House of Representatives named them Distinguished Citizens of the Year and designated June 2, 2006 as "Mary Emily and Nelson Jackson Day," and they were awarded the 2007 Ashby Ward Pioneer(s) of the Year by the Myrtle Beach chamber.

Mr. Jackson graduated from Clemson College in 1942, with a degree in textile engineering, weaving and design. He and Mary Emily Platt married, following his graduation and just days before he joined the Army as a second lieutenant.

After World War II, he returned to Tryon, N.C., to work for the family business, Jackson & Jackson Inc., selling fabrics.

According to his family, he engineered an early motor home, using an old Trailways bus so the Jacksons, and their five daughters, could accompany him during sales trips across the U.S.

Mr. Jackson eventually became president of Jackson & Jackson.

In 1970, at the age of 50, Mr. Jackson and his family moved to Myrtle Beach to develop the renowned Ocean Lakes Family Campground, which opened in July 1971, with 30 campsites and one bathhouse. Mr. Jacksons father had acquired the land during the 1930s and the family was able to hold onto it.

Today, Ocean Lakes features 893 campsites and 2,554 annual lease sites on 310 oceanfront acres with nearly a mile of beachfront, four bathhouses, and more than 360 employees during the height of the camping season. It is the largest campground on the East Coast and one of the largest in the nation. On an average seasonal day, Ocean Lakes has 25,000-35,000 guests.

"We could do a lot of things with 310-oceanfront acres in Myrtle Beach, and weve had many lucrative offers, but we believe that everyone -- the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker -- should have the privilege of enjoying Gods beautiful ocean," Mr. Jackson was quoted as saying.

Once established in Myrtle Beach, Mr. Jackson and his family built The Jackson Companies into a diversified business enterprise comprised of the campground, Prestwick Golf & Country Club, Ocean Lakes Properties, Sunway Charters and Tours, Crystal Lake Mobile Home Village, Ocean Lakes RV Center, and a master-planned development called SayeBrook. Sunway Charters has a fleet of nearly a dozen coaches.

Mr. Jacksons businesses werent his only interest. He also founded and was a volunteer for many years on the Polk County Rescue Squad, and served on numerous industry, community and civic boards.

Sunway Charters and Tours general manager, Larry Thompson; charter manager, Heath Simpson, and office manager, Waddell Thompson, issued a joint notice, saying their boss "will be missed by many who loved and admired his leadership."

Mr. Jackson is survived by his wife and daughters and their families.

A memorial in Mr. Jacksons name has been established with The Jackson Center for Ethics and Values, Coastal Educational Foundation, Coastal Carolina University, P.O. Box 261954, Conway, SC 29528.