Brigadier General Roy Alonzo Jacobson USAF (Ret.)

Roy, “Jake,” was born and raised in Safford, Arizona the oldest son of Karl T. and Josephine (Johns), descendants of Arizona pioneers, with his fondest memory being time spent on Mount Graham where his father and grandfather operated sawmills. He graduated from Safford High School in 1940 and soon thereafter enlisted in the Army Air Corp on November 9th of that year at Hamilton Field as an A&E mechanic and in 1942 he completed Aviation Cadet training. During the Great War he flew 65 combat missions for a total of 363 combat hours and is credited with shooting down four enemy aircraft. He thus embarked on a military career that would span 40 years, encompass three wars and numerous conflicts, witness him in the cockpit of almost anything that would fly and see him receive awards, recognitions and commendations that if listed separately would fill this page.

His career was almost cut short before it even began when in 1945 he was shot down over Kagoshima, Kyushu and was forced to bail out of his plane several miles from shore. He was rescued 36 hours later by a submarine on her maiden voyage. He was eternally grateful to the men of the USS Quillback for saving his life. His proudest accomplishment was being a founding member of 197th Fighter Squadron, later designated the 161st Military Airlift Group and then the 161st Air Refueling Group. He served as the organization’s Commander three times during his tenure and served the State of Arizona twice as Assistant Adjutant General, Air.

While his passion was flying, once he retired he busied himself with numerous other activities including building a couple of houses, golf, travel with his family, meeting the “boys” for lunch at The Stockyards and enjoying a glass of Merlot whenever possible. In his later years he actively participated with the Lions Club organization where he ran circles around people much younger than himself.

Roy is predeceased by his parents, his brother Korky and his sister Peggy, his son Roy Jr. and his wife of 52 years Betty who he has missed greatly this past year.

He leaves behind an adoring sister Vicky and a few people who are truly blessed and got to call him Dad. They include the children from his first marriage to Bonnie (nee Posey), Dennis (Mary), Kelli and Joni and Joyce (Darren) and Joe (Brendan) from his union with Betty. The unbelievably fortunate who got to call him Grandpa who include Christi, Jennifer, Josh, Amy, Beth and Jared, five great grandchildren whom he adored, nephews, nieces and best friends who were like brothers to him.

Roy was a man who in his lifetime shook the hands of presidents and dignitaries. He traveled the world in defense of our great country and was proud to serve the citizens of his native State of Arizona for many years. What he would hope to be remembered best for was his compassion for his fellow man, his belief that regardless of rank or circumstance we are all equal and that family always, always come first.

Services are to be held Saturday, July 13th at 6:00pm at the chapel at Mariposa Gardens, 400 S. Power Road, Mesa, AZ 85206 with burial with fully military honors immediately following. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to either the Lions Club (https://www.lcif.org/EN/ways-to-give/lion-memory-honor-donation.php) or the American Heart Association. (https://www.kintera.org/site/c.fmJUKcOZJkI8G/b.8077571/k.6133/Donate_to_American_Heart_Association/apps/ka/sd/donorcustom.asp?msource=GAW).