Kenneth James Jacobson

MSG Kenneth J (Jim) Jacobson (Ret.)

Ken was born on Aug 11th, 1936, at home in Ozawkie, KS. It was the hottest month and hottest day on record. He was born to Sarah Jacobson (Schmidt) and John Jacobson. He was the youngest of seven children.

He attended Ozawkie HS where he was valedictorian, class president, involved in student government, football and basketball.

After high school, in 1954, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad, where he worked for 12 years. He later became one of the first managers of KFC, but eventually went to work for the State of Kansas, the Board of Nursing, where he retired in 1999. Besides his time in the military, Ken’s favorite place of employment was his part time job at Roach Hardware. People would come in and seek out the tall man with the beautiful white hair. Ken was extremely knowledgeable of what people needed and how to fix their repair proects. He work at the hardware store until he was 80 years old.

In 1955 he started his military career by joining the Army Reserves. He always said his choice for the Army was easy. He didn’t know how to fly, he couldn’t swim far, but he could walk a long ways. His military career lasted for 37 years, 6 months and 10 days. Given any certain day, he could give you the hours and minutes also.

He was extremely proud of his service and being able to serve the United States of America. There is an age restriction, or he would have served as long as his health held out. During the Iraq War, he call the army to volunteer. At this point he was 67, but would have gladly served.

His last position, while in, was a teacher of NBC. NBC is nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. He was told that they know who is was, and if they needed him, they would call.

Ken loved his Southern Gospel music. He would sit for hours, head phones on and listen away. He loved the Lord. He loved attending church, and was very upset when his health kept him from it. While we were in Turkey, he acquired many Turkish coins. He, as the Lord led him, would give one of those coins to a man. He would tell them to keep that in his pocket, and when he pulled it out to remember that someone loved them and was praying for them.

Ken married Susan (Johnson) Jacobson on Dec 4th, 1971. They enjoyed bowling, camping and fishing, cards with family and friends and most of all, to travel. They visited all 50 states and 19 countries. Their favorite form of travel, when they were younger, were car trips with their children and nieces and nephews. But once they took their first cruise, they were hooked. They had plans for celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary on a cruise to the Caribbean this Dec. His favorite trip of all was a trip to Europe and Turkey. This was a special trip, as his sister -in-law and brother-in-law, along with Susan’s nieces and nephews blessed them with this trip. He was thrilled to walk the streets of Rome and especially Turkey.

Ken loved his two children, Cynthia Kough and Andrew Jacobson. He was extremely proud of both of them. He valued ever moment he spent with them. He loved sharing funny stories of them, ranging from barnyard chases of chickens and the first sip of ‘oo that dalithus’ (delicious) coke. He has three grandchildren, Rachael Warren, Jeremy Warren and Jacob Warren, and four great-grandchildren, Regan Samborski, Caydence Warren, Lily Warren and Sawyer Warren. He had 17 nieces and nephews, not counting all the great and great-great ones. He loved them all

Ken was extremely blessed with two special angels, disguised as his nieces Pam Jones and Paula Ellis. They would bring food over, once his was ill, weekly . They did this for months! Other angles came also, Kat Meinhardt, Angela Peoples and many throughout the church body.

One special angel, that would come over often, was a friend who just came to visit and listen to Ken share his vast knowledge of many things. Ken love talking with you Jason and even though he would never tell you, he liked your jokes too. Well, most of them.

Ken was proceeded in death by both of his parents, Sarah and John Jacobson, his 6 siblings, Pauline Newell, Marlin (Pete) Jacobson, Bernice McCullough, Gladys Stadler, Lois Potts, and Sarah Stillwell. He is survived in death by his wife, children and all the grand and great- grandchildren and 14 nieces and nephews.

Ken’s greatest wish would be that all how hear or read this obituary would come to a saving knowledge of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He firmly believed the rapture was eminent and wanted all to be ready.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation the can be visited at www.t2t.org