‘Duck Dynasty’ Star And Longtime Church Elder Phil Robertson Dies At 79
Phil Robertson, who gained national fame as the bearded, camouflage-clad Duck Commander, “has gone to be with Jesus,” his Louisiana church family confirmed.
The reality television star and Bible teacher — known for leading hundreds, if not thousands, of souls to Christ — died Sunday at age 79.
His family had revealed last year that he faced early-stage Alzheimer’s and other health problems.
“While we will miss him we celebrate his victory and look forward to the resurrection,” the White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, Louisiana, said in a Facebook post. “Please continue to keep the Robertson family in your prayers.”
Robertson served as a longtime elder of the White’s Ferry Road church. That congregation meets just a few miles from the Duck Commander/Buck Commander warehouse and showed up at least a half-dozen times on the “Duck Dynasty” TV series that featured the Robertson family.
Robertson, a one-time honky-tonk owner, gave up his heathen lifestyle in the 1970s. He became a tenacious personal evangelist, often baptizing those he taught the Gospel in the Ouachita River.
Phil Robertson speaks at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Gage Skidmore)
“I was an evil man, just a sinful scumbag, before I ran up on him,” Robertson told a Sunday school class in 2014, writing the name of Jesus on a whiteboard and circling it.
“I’m just glad I’m out from under it,” he said of his old way of life.
“I’m glad you are, too,” his wife, Kay Robertson, chimed in from the audience.
Last December, the church’s elders announced, “Due to health issues, Phil Robertson will be taking a step back from teaching the Unashamed Gospel Bible Class he has taught for many years here at White’s Ferry Road.”
Family members shared tributes to Robertson online.
“My dad has gone to be with the Lord today!” Jase Robertson, one of Phil’s four sons, said on Facebook. “He will be missed but we know he is in good hands, and our family is good because God is very good! We will see him again!”
Alan Robertson, Phil’s oldest son, served alongside his father as a White’s Ferry Road elder. Alan Robertson also shared the preaching duties at White’s Ferry Road for a number of years. He stepped away from the ministry staff in 2012 to help with his family’s thriving Duck Commander business.
Alan Robertson said on social media:
Well, it’s finally happened. The man who raised me, trained and disciplined me, accepted me, loved me, and partnered with me in sharing the gospel of Jesus has left this life and crossed over to await the Great Resurrection. I feel joyful—and even relieved—that he no longer suffers from a terrible, mind-destroying disease known as Alzheimer’s. I am also humbled to continue his legacy of reaching as many people as possible with the saving grace of Jesus Christ’s coming to earth, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
These last ten years of working together with Dad on books, vlogs, blogs, and podcasts have been some of the most rewarding ministry experiences I’ve ever had. What a gift it was to do ministry with my dad!
I don’t grieve like a man with no hope, and I don’t say goodbye, but rather “see you in a while.” As he told me over and over in my life—especially in the last few years—“Al, the resurrection looms larger every day for us all.”
Indeed it does, Dad. Indeed it does.
Mike Kellett, Alan Robertson’s former co-preacher, is White’s Ferry Road’s senior minister and an elder.
“Will miss my fellow elder,” Kellett said on Facebook after the news of Phil Robertson’s death. “A great evangelist who kept us focused on the gospel and impacted thousands for the Lord.”
A post on the Duck Commander page said:
In the duck hunting world he was an innovator.. a man with an unwavering love for what he did best…and enjoyed most
And though he was uniquely special in his field, we will remember him for so much more…
His love for Jesus… and his passion for sharing Jesus with others , is what truly stood out above all things…
The lives impacted by one man’s willingness to share the gospel is truly remarkable.. and we can only hope to make him proud by carrying out that legacy throughout our lives moving forward
Thank you Phil.. for always instilling in us what is truly most important
FAITH, FAMILY, and of course…DUCKS
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
This piece is republished from The Christian Chronicle.
Bobby Ross Jr. writes the Weekend Plug-in column for ReligionUnplugged.com and serves as editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle. A former religion writer for The Associated Press and The Oklahoman, Ross has reported from all 50 states and 18 nations. He has covered religion since 1999.