John Arthur Jacobsen

PHOENIX, AZ: John (Jake) Jacobsen, 78, passed away unexpectedly January 24, 2022, at an Ocala, Florida hospital. He was born January 4, 1944, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of Arthur and Dorothy (O’Brien) Jacobsen.

John grew up and attended school in Erie, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Strong Vincent High School, Class of 1962. He attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia where he was actively involved in Choir, the wrestling team, member of the Queen’s Guard, The Republican Club, Backdrop Club, and the Marching Band Announcer. John graduated from William and Mary in 1966 with a Baccalaureate degree in History. He planned to enter the Education Field. As a lifelong history buff, John loved US History and was very knowledgeable about WW11 politics, key persons, and war tactics. His hero was Admiral William (Bull) Halsey, Jr.

After graduation, John married Rebecca Smith, also from Williamsburg, VA. in May, 1969 and subsequently was appointed to active duty in the Navy. His navy career over a period of 34 years included:

• 8 years as an enlisted sailor

• Served on the USS Lorain County

• Officer’s Commission in 1969 for Naval OCS

• USS Vancouver navigator

• USS Buchanan as Damage Control Assistant, Gunnery Officer

• USS Cook as Weapons Officer and Commander of US Naval Forces, Pacific-Operations Scheduling

Officer and Public Affairs

• Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve Beach Group One

• Commanding Officer Naval Reserve Beach Groups

• Commanding Officer, VTU

• Designated Surface Warfare Officer, Sub-specialty Public Affairs Officer

• Combat Veteran, USS Buchanan

John retired from the Navy at the rank of Captain (O-6) in 1994.

John attended University of Northern Colorado where he received a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Guidance Counseling in 1980.

A creative and talented writer, actor, and producer, John was active in Community Theater in the Los Angeles, California area. He was a Producer at the Canyon Club Dinner Theater in Agoura Hills, California. A creative and talented writer and actor, John wrote several movie scripts, made cameo appearances in several Television shows. He always maintained his love of theater arts, especially musical theater and played in several musical productions including: “Sound of Music,” “Music Man,” “Oklahoma,” and “My Fair Lady,” just to name a few.

In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his wife, Rebecca Smith-Jacobsen. In 2005, John and LaVonne (Vonnie) Wood found each other, fell in love, and married on March 4, 2006. They were married at Port Hueneme Naval Chapel, CA. in front of many close friends and family. John retired from Northrup-Grumman Aerospace in 2014 and he and Vonnie settled in Chino Valley, Arizona with 4 horses and 2 dogs on a small horse ranch.

Surviving in addition to his wife, LaVonne (Vonnie) Jacobsen and his daughter, Jennifer Klesic; foster son, Ivan Haley, and stepdaughter, Natalie Berg; 4 grandchildren: Dean Haley, Liam and Luka Klesic, and Sterling Berg. One brother, Gregg Jacobsen and wife Teritu (Terry) Jacobsen of West Lake Village, CA, and one sister, Christine Jacobsen Aboudiab and her husband, Dr. Dory Aboudiab also surviving. Several cousins, nieces and nephews as well as many long term friends additionally.

A Service of Remembrance, with full Military Honors, will be held at 11 AM, Friday, March 25, 2022 at Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary, 200 West Beardsley Rd, Phoenix, AZ. 85027. Internment will be at the National Veteran’s Cemetery in Cave Creek, AZ.

Those who wish to remember John in a special way may make gifts in his memory to:

• Wounded Warriors Org.

• Tunnel2Towers Org.

• Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, Org., Scottsdale, AZ.