Philip J Jacobs

Philip J. Jacobs was born in Hays, Kansas, to Bus and Marie Jacobs on August 1, 1941. He died on September 10, 2014, of lung cancer. He leaves behind wife, Carole and children Paul (Sandy), John (Missy), and Katie (Greg). He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Ceirsti, Sheyla, Jaz, Caitlin, Kylie, Rachel, and Drew; brother Jim (Virginia), and sisters Cynthia (Terry) and Janet (Mike), as well as many neices and nephews. His parents predeceased him.

Phil graduated from St. Joseph's Military Academy in 1959, Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Mathematics at St. Benedict's College in 1963, did graduate work at Oregon State University, and received a Master of Liberal Studies from Duke University. His first love was teaching math at College of Idaho and Fort Hayes State University. Then he moved on to the computer industry, where his specialty was managing quality assurance groups.

He was a lifelong learner and enjoyed music, especially jazz, classical, and big band music. He played the clarinet and enjoyed making Christmas CD's for his grandchildren. Other hobbies included gardening, carpentry, and cooking - when Carole would let him in the kitchen. He always had a project going around the house or in the yard. He also enjoyed traveling, especially trips to Italy's Tuscany region, Sedona, Arizona (until he disagreed with their immigration policies), and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Phil was a family man and a loyal friend. His gregarious personality meant he found friends in all different situations. He shared his gift of laughter with all who knew him. It was hard for him to move away from all their friends at St. Andrews Church in Portland, Oregon, and in their neighborhood. He helped plant native plant species around the church campus, used his carpentry skills at Habitat for Humanty, visited with sick and dying friends, and was an all-around good guy. The community at St. Andrews fed his soul with their joy, although he never understood how much he was respected and loved by his community. He especially loved the quilt St. Andrew's parishoners made for him in his illness and the notes they included.

It is significant that after his funeral Mass on August 17, 2014, his cremains were laid to rest in St. Matthew's Columbarium on a misty, moisty morning reminiscent of his beloved Oregon weather.