Their Papaw Phil’s Legacy: Phil Robertson’s Grandkids Share His Best Advice

Published: June 10, 2025

Phil Robertson GettyImages-520042802 — FORT WORTH, TEXAS - APRIL 09: Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty gives the invocation prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 9, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

By Mallory Mattingly

A few of Phil Robertson’s grandkids recently reflected on their late Papaw Phil’s best pieces of advice.

“I was working for him one summer, I was like 14, and we were building duck blinds and working out there,” John Luke Robertson recalled on his sister Sadie Robertson Huff’s podcast. “I’d be working on something, and I’m kind of a perfectionist, so I would be trying to make sure the board is straight, trying to make sure the screw is right, trying to do all the stuff. And he would always say, ‘Hey, good enough for a duck blind — let’s move on.'”

“I think about that a lot, in the sense of like, sometimes you’re working on something and you’ve got to keep the most important thing the most important thing,” he reflected. “Like, it’s just a duck blind. Don’t spend all your time working on something that is not going to matter in the end. Keep the big picture and just keep moving on.”

Phil’s grandson Cole Robertson shared that “the biggest thing was just the way that he led by example — the way he led his life. I mean one of his oneliners was ‘Let me show you how to do this.’…I think a lot of times he did not lead with his words. He led by just getting up and showing you how to do it.”

Reed Robertson revealed that the Robertson family patriarch truly lived out 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: “…to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

After Phil died late last month, John Luke posted a photo of him and his grandfather to Instagram.

“Thankful for Papaw’s Phil life and everything he taught me. He will live on Heaven and in the family, skills, and stories he’s leaving behind,” he wrote. “We got to sing Victory in Jesus one last time and in that room in the last days I’ve never felt that to be more true. He believed in redemption and resurrection with everything he had, and I know both have come to pass in this life and will come to pass in the next.”

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Though the family is still mourning his death, they celebrate knowing that Phil is rejoicing in the presence of his savior.

“We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord,” the Robertsons said in a statement on May 25. “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, by his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus,” their statement continued. “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.”