Ron Jacobs

On Thursday, February 25, 2021, Mr. Ronald Matthew Jacobs (born 1931) of Laurel, MD, beloved husband of Leona Rosemary Jacobs, who preceded him in death in 2010, passed away at the age of 89.  Mr. Jacobs was the loving father of Kathleen, Ron Jr. (Holly Thistle), Jeffrey, Michelle, Steven (Karen), Timothy (Mary Beth), Lauralee (Chuck), Julianna (Larry), Christopher (Sandy), Jennifer (Brett), Brigitta (Sebastian) and Jonathan (Lisie); and brother of Bruce, Marilyn DeMarais (Gordon, deceased), Jim (Louise), Susan (Charles) Fitzer (both deceased), and Rita (Pat). He is also survived by 32 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.  Mr. Jacobs was born on November 30, in Minneapolis, MN to Mathew and Florence Jacobs. 

He was a graduate of DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, MN, and a proud teammate on their football team.  Always having a love of adventure and learning, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from St. Thomas of Aquinas College in Minnesota and went on to earn his Master of Science in Education from University of Southern California.   

Mr. Jacobs was a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, retiring in 1979, after 27 years of service to his country.  A graduate of the Air Force ROTC at St. Thomas, he was a proud veteran, as an intelligence officer.  During his distinguished career, he served one tour in Vietnam and was awarded the Airman’s Medal, a Bronze Star and a Meritorious Service Medal.  Stationed around the world with his wife and family, some of his favorite places he lived were Pakistan and Germany. 

A resident of Laurel since 1959, Mr. Jacobs and his family became active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In 1979, he began his second career as a teacher and coach at St. Vincent Pallotti High School.  He taught math, religion, sociology and initiated the first technology and computer science instruction offered at the private high school in Laurel.  He coached football and basketball and loved the excitement of teaching and inspiring future generations.  Retiring from Pallotti in 2009, Mr. Jacobs enjoyed spending his second retirement at his mountain cabin in Pennsylvania, railroading, gardening and traveling to visit his brothers and sisters in Minnesota and his children throughout the United States and overseas.

The funeral for Mr. Jacobs will be streamed live on this website on Monday March 8; beginning at 10:45 am to 12:45 pm for the visitation and 1:00 p.m. for the mass at St. Mary of the Mills Church in Laurel for those who cannot attend due to covid restrictions at the church.  Interment will be private.  Please feel free to share your memories and condolences with Mr. Jacobs' family on our tribute page.  A Celebration of Life will occur later.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mary of the Mills Food Pantry, St. Mary’s Place, Laurel, Maryland 20707 or the Knights of Columbus Council 2203 Charity, St. Mary’s Place, Laurel, Maryland 20707 http://www.stmaryslaurel.org/giving.

Livestream may be accessed by clicking HERE. 

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