Donald Eric Jacobsen

Donald Eric Jacobsen, born June 30,1933 in Waller, CA (a suburb of Los Angeles) to Ivan Oscar Jacobsen, a first generation immigrant from England, and Phoebe Louise Young, direct descendant of Brigham Young. Don was the third of four children, with sister Mary being the oldest, brother “Sonny” being the second born, and brother Kendall the youngest. Raised in the middle of the Great Depression, Don’s mother passed away when he was only 9 years old from rheumatism of the heart. Thereafter, his sister Mary became the woman of the house at about age 12 for her three brothers and dad. Their father worked multiple jobs to support the family. Clinging tightly together through their hardships, they made it through some tough years together.

Don played a few sports during his school years and was an accomplished swimmer who loved the beach. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1953 and attended recruit training at San Diego. His performance as an enlisted Marine was distinguished enough that he was approached by his company executive officer about applying for an officer commissioning program, which he did. He was accepted into officer training and requested to be a Marine pilot. He successfully completed basic officer training and was later accepted to become a naval aviator, piloting over a dozen different types of military aircraft but most notably the A-4 Skyhawk.

While attending flight training in Corpus Christi, TX he met a young local lady named Delia Villarreal who he later married and had three children with: Kenneth, Donald, and Kathy. Still early in his career, Don was assigned to serve as a flight instructor for new student pilots at Naval Flight School, Pensacola, FL. The students he instructed included Marines who later went on to serve with the Navy’s Blue Angels precision flying team, as well as Space Shuttle crew members. Don served a total of 25 years as a Marine, including three tours in Vietnam. His personal awards include the Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Naval Commendation Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal. During one tour of duty he was recognized as his squadron’s “Top Gun” in aerial competition. Don retired from active duty in 1978 at the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was blessed with a keen intellect and was a member of American Mensa, a high IQ society that admits applicants who score in the top 2% on a recognized intelligence test.

Don’s most recent wife, Diane Elizabeth Arnold, provided him with steadfast love and companionship for his last 30 years. Together, they enjoyed frequent travels to a multitude of destinations in the United States, Far East, and Europe.

During the later years of his life when his health began to decline, Don heard a slogan that expressed a life philosophy he embraced and adopted as his own: “Concede Nothing!”. Despite reduced mobility, he lived his life to the fullest extent possible, never surrendering any amount of freedom or independence. Don passed away on March 11, 2026 at age 92 and is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Roselawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Murfreesboro, TN on April 9, 2026.

Reflections upon his life from one of his children:

Dad was there when I caught my first fish, bagged my first rabbit, and coached me when I played on various sports teams. When he wasn’t deployed overseas, he tutored me in school subjects which really enhanced my learning. When his military assignments took our family to opposite coasts of the United States - which they did several times - he always made time to take us to special attractions along the way including the Redwood Forest, Yellowstone Park, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Carlsbad Caverns, The Alamo, Statue of Liberty, Niagra Falls, Empire State Building, historic attractions in Washington D.C., and more.

Dad was sometimes an enigma and tricky to figure out but during the last several decades of his life he made a conspicuous effort to strengthen family connections. He delighted in getting together to celebrate holidays and other special occasions, and joining his nearby children for a weekly dinner in town.

Dad suffered from neuropathy in both legs for about the last 25 years of his life. Although straddled with reduced mobility, he adopted the Marine philosophy of “improvise, adapt, and overcome”. When both he and his wife became unable to drive, he didn’t let that slow him down. He became a smartphone ninja and learned to use Uber, Instacart, Door Dash, and other apps to continue enjoying life to the fullest in the independent manner of his choosing.

At the very end when he was immobilized in a hospital bed, dad continued to smile, laugh, and share pleasant memories. He never groaned or complained as he stoically passed into after-life. He was a tough but compassionate Marine to the very end. He has my utmost respect and love.