James Robert Jacobson

He served in the Army Medical Corps during WW2 and then attended the University of Minnesota. He married Lucille Linn, his high school sweetheart, in 1948. He served part time as a United Methodist minister while teaching at a local high school in Minneapolis and started the Portland Avenue United Methodist Church.

In 1961, the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he started the Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church. In 1962, the family moved to California where he attended The School of Theology at Claremont. He graduated in 1966 with a Doctorate in Religion and continued to serve the United Methodist Churches in Arizona and California until his retirement in 1990.

He had a passion for the spiritual health of children and families that is beautifully captured in his poetry and devotions. He was the author of four books for parents and three books of meditations.

He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, the Rotary Club, The Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church and was a distinguished member of the International Society of Poets.

Jim is survived by Lucille, his wife of 74 years, and four children: Nancy Jacobson (Lynne), Randall Jacobson (Teri), David Jacobson (Shelley) and Kim Rusk (Gary). They have nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.