Frank Kennedy Jackson, Jr. was born to Frank K. Jackson and Gladys Maxwell Jackson June 18, 1911 in Piedmont, CA. His paternal grandfather, Henry K. Jackson. founded Jackson Furniture Company in Oakland, CA. His maternal grandfather was Harry M. Maxwell. His uncles were Frank C. Havens and George A. Sterling. Kennedy (as he was called) had a brother Bruce who was killed in WWII. His father Frank K. Jackson divorced Gladys Jackson around 1915 and then married Gertrude Cole, producing one child, Harry A. Jackson. Kennedy married Francis Warren. They had no children.
When born he was named Maxwell Kennedy Jackson, but sometime after his father's divorce from Gladys Maxwell his name was changed to Frank K. Jackson, Jr.
He was a member of the Athens Athletic Club and the Athenian-Nile Club.
He graduated from the University of California and then Boalt Hall where he received his law degree. He was an Alameda County deputy district attorney before entering private practice. In 1943 he was US Commissioner for the city of Oakland. Kennedy died September 18, 1957.