By Jessilyn Lancaster
Phil Robertson, the faith-filled patriarch behind the Robertson family made famous by A&E’s DUCK DYNASTY, died at age 79.
In a statement posted online, the Robertson family wrote:
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
The family revealed last year that Phil was battling Alzheimer’s, as well as a blood disease.
Phil Robertson’s health has been in decline in recent months.
“The No. 1 question I get everywhere I go [is], ‘How’s your dad doing?’ Now, I’m just giving the blunt truth. I say, ‘Not good,’” Robertson’s son Jase said in April.
“We’re making him comfortable and we’re doing the best we can. I think that’s just what you do,” Jase added.
Now, his family is remembering the impact his walk with God had on each of them.
Robertson’s family attended the Movieguide® Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry.
“Phil Robertson sent his family to the MOVIEGUIDE® Gala Awards,” Movieguide® founder Dr. Ted Baehr said. “He was appreciative of the MOVIEGUIDE® Awards we gave him. I look forward to seeing him in Heaven.”
Though the hit reality show portrayed Phil Robertson as a strong man of God, he would be the first to admit that he ran away from the Lord in his youth.
“I owned a beer joint when some guy came in with a Bible and he wanted to introduce me to Jesus,” said Phil in a White Chair Film. “I ran him away. I said, ‘Get outta here.’ [Then] I’d take another drink.”
In a different interview, Phil said, “I basically was a sinful young man.”
Phil was on the brink of destruction when he heard the Gospel and gave his life to Jesus, to the shock and awe of his wife and growing family.
“I obeyed the Gospel at 28. I repented and asked for the Lord’s forgiveness and mercy, and you know what He did? He gave it to me — along with eternity,” he continued. “Fifty years later, I said ‘yes’ to telling my story in THE BLIND movie, and now thousands are finding that same hope in Christ…know that the Lord can forgive your sins and set you free too.”
According to the Movieguide® review:
THE BLIND refers to a duck blind where his friend, Al, and Phil Robertson are hunting in 1985. Phil tells Al his Christian testimony. The movie cuts to 1958 when Phil is a little boy. Phil’s father worked in the oil fields, away from home for long periods. As a youngster, Phil goes hunting and fishing to bring food home for his family. Phil’s mother has psychotic experiences where she just gets angry at everything and is hauled off by police several times. Phil’s only blessing is Kay. They know in high school they’re destined for each other. Phil gives up a football scholarship to marry Kay. His excessive drinking leads to a downward spiral. Kay gives Phil an ultimatum, but can he change?
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