The “Duck Commander” and patriarch of the Robertson family, Phil Robertson, passed away Sunday at age 79.
The Robertson family revealed in December that Phil had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Robertson rose to fame first by creating and selling duck calls and growing it into the “Duck Dynasty,” featuring a television show and an international business selling equipment and apparel for hunters. The business served as a mechanism for Robertson to share his Christian faith with the public.
Robertson held a master’s in education from Louisiana Tech where he played football in the ’60s. NFL Hall of Famer and Tech alum Terry Bradshaw has often joked he was the backup behind Robertson and Phil’s preference for duck hunting opened up the starting position for him.
Louisiana Tech acknowledged the former Bulldog quarterback on social media: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of former LA Tech quarterback, Phil Robertson. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Robertson family during this time.”
In a statement about Robertson’s passing, the family announced a public celebration of his life will be scheduled soon:
We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord. He reminded us often of the words of Paul, “you do not grieve like those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life saved by grace, his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus. We are grateful for his life on earth and will continue the legacy of love for God and love for others until we see him again.
We know so many of you love him and have been impacted by his life. We’re having a private service for now, but we’ll share details soon about a public celebration of his life.
The Robertson Family
1 Corinthians 2
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