Jacob Clyde Robertson was born on April 4, 1979, in Provo, Utah, the
son of John Steven Robertson Sr. and Barbara Clyde; he died on April 23, 2016, in
Phoenix, Arizona (glioblastoma multiforme). The intervening thirty-seven years have
been full and eventful. Foremost was his marriage to Jordan Romney on May 8, 2004,
in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. Together, they gave life to Lauren (10), Ellie (8), Ada
(6) and Thomas (2).
From the earliest age, Jacob loved the physicality and challenge of sports: baseball,
football, basketball, tennis, lacrosse, and golf. He was an ardent, lifelong BYU sports
fan, football in particular.
Jacob was a dedicated scholar in high school (Orem High), in College (B.A., Political
Science, Brigham Young University) and in his post graduate studies (Doctor of Jurisprudence,
University of Utah, Law Review Editor). His skill as a researcher made him
a successful attorney (nine years at the Phoenix law firm, Perkins Coie), specializing
in corporate litigation and contributing to many significant cases.
Jacob was a man of resolute character, an accomplished man who loved and served
others. His LDS Church mission brought him to Madrid, Spain, where among other
assignments, he served seven months as Branch President in Cuenca. Using his skills
as a lawyer, Jacob dedicated significant pro bono hours, assisting those who had no
legal recourse. He served on the board of Raising Special Kids. He coached youth
soccer.
His greatest service, however, was accomplished within his home, where in gratitude
and love, he served his wife and children. “This is the generation that seek thy face,
O Jacob. Selah” (Psalms 24:6).
As per Psalms 24:3-5, Jacob Clyde Robertson has now ascended into the hill of the
Lord, and at this moment, he stands in a holy place, in His holy place. Now, as before,
his is a life of clean hands and a pure heart. We, with so many others, love him and
still seek his face.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to the Robertson Children’s Fund at any branch of
Mountain America Credit Union in person or by phone at 1-800-310-6228, option 0.
This talk give by Elder Paul Johnson gave me great comfort at the last general conference. As Jake lives out his last few days of life, I'm so grateful for the knowledge we have of the plan of salvation. We know where we came from, why we are here on earth and what we are suppose to do - knowing that we will be tested and tried to see if we will remain true to Jesus Christ and his teachings. Depending on how valiant we are in that effort of staying true to Christ, we know where we are going. Attending our temples and making and keeping sacred covenants will further determine our future happiness.
Jake and Jordan have all these important steps in place. In their short 12 years of married life (their anniversary is three weeks from today) they have made choices and kept covenants that have placed them and their family squarely on the path of eternal life. Together. As a family. They have accomplished in 12 short years what takes many of us years to accomplish. And they do it with a grateful, if not heartbroken, heart. They get it. They know the plan. They have faith in the plan. Their courage and determination to hold fast to what they KNOW to be true carries them.
I'm so grateful to Jake for being courageous. He hasn't complained or murmured. He has accepted this terrible burden that has been placed on his shoulders and has done his very best to help his family prepare for the future without him and ultimately, his death. He is a true believer in God and His son and his belief strengthens our belief. His testimony of Christ is at the core of his being. He is at the center of the calm that is felt in their home.
I'm grateful for Jordan and I'm so extremely proud of the way she has come to accept and carry, as best she can, this terrible challenge and ultimate loss of her dear husband. Her example of strength and faith has influenced hundreds through her blog and the sharing of their journey. She has sought the power of the atonement through prayer, fasting and faith and is finding the strength necessary to lose the one things she values most in life. Her dear Jacob.
I'm grateful for four little children who are doing the best they can at their tender ages to understand the cope with the loss of their dad. Their childlike faith is simple and yet strong and they know that their Heavenly Father loves them, as does their dear father Jake. That great outpouring of love will give them strength to cope better in the days ahead with the help of their mother, and many others who love them dearly.
I'm grateful for all the good people who have inquired about Jake and who have reached out and helped their family through this past two years and three months. Thousands of prayers have gone heavenward for this little family. Fasting, temple prayer roll and many other helps and services have been offered for this family. Words can't express the gratitude I feel for scores of good people.
I'm grateful that Jake's parents could rent an apartment and stay in Phoenix to be near Jordan and Jake and their family. Their love and support is invaluable and we all appreciate their love and concern as they have rendered daily service. May they also feel of our love for them and their wonderful family as they prepare to say goodbye to their dear son and brother.
I'm grateful to my husband, my children and their spouses who have drawn closer together as we have pleaded to the Lord in prayer to send strength, comfort and peace to this family.
And I'm grateful to God. As I've said before, I trust Him. I don't understand all His ways or the reasons for why things happen, but I trust Him. I know that ALL things will be made right through Christ. I'm trying to be still...and find God to strengthen me and those I love through the power of his son's marvelous atonement.
Claire asked me many months ago if I would take care of Lizzie and Will while she and R took his job promotion trip to Hawaii. I really wanted them to go and have that experience, so I signed up to care for them for 8 days. We had a very fun time together and I loved having one-on-one time with Lizzie and Will. They say and do the most funny, darling things and I love to see the world through their eyes. I think we got along great and I sure loved my time with these darling grandchildren. We also got dinner or lunch invites to the homes of Keith and Lorie (our long-time friends), Elise and Dave (R's sister and husband) and Bob and Tina (Rick's cousin and wife). I got to spend several hours talking to Tina during various adventures together and it was great to find a kindred spirit.
First stop, the gym swimming pool.
Lizzie is a fish!
She loves to haul Will around.
Second stop, Hobby Lobby for craft supplies.
And fabric for Star Wars and
Eiffel Tower pillow cases.
Watching conference with
lots of art projects going on,
including pipe cleaner spiders
Afternoon break watching Lizzie play soccer
Great fun watching her figure
out which goal was hers
Cute little six year olds playing
with an obnoxious aggressive opposing team
Playground therapy afterwards
Planting flowers around the yard
Superman undies help get the job done
Such a conscientious gardener
Back to watching conference
with a roll of masking tape
Pipe cleaner turtles
General conference 20 page packets
which Lizzie completed! Thanks Claire.
While the kids were in school I
got to visit the Nuclear Science museum.
Fascinating!
I even learned what my older brother was
doing all those years in a nuclear silo
I loved learning more about how the
discovery of nuclear power and radiation came to be
After dinner with R's sister and family,
it was time to play in another park
I do love this selfie,
the only one we got of all three of us.
Before his haircut
After! Such a cute little boy!
More playgrounds.
Backyard fun
Will at gymnastics, taking it very seriously
Great bar swinging Will
and beam waking
Another morning while the kids were in school,
Tina and I walked along the beautiful trails of the Bachechi open space preserve near El Rio Grande.
Beautiful day for walking and chatting.
Gorgeous day for along walk along the river
On to Lizzie's T-ball game, fielding a grounder
Throwing
(amazingly well - must take after her mother)
to first
At bat
Cute little T-ball girl
Another day, another adventure with Tina to the
The FABULOUS Albuquerque Museum!
\It is such a great history and collection of Mexican,
Native American and white settlers history and art. Loved it!
I thought of my DIL Chelsea when I saw these heels
They reminded me of those shoes
we saw at Last Chance Chelsea!
They are actually 12 shoes depicting
the personalities of one man's 12 lovers
Cleaver!
Outdoor sculptures showing early NM history
No trip to ABQ would be complete
without a trip to Old Town and purchasing
something from the Native Americans there.
Beautiful hand crafted jewelry!
I went to lunch by myself at La Placita
where a tree is growing in the restaurant
and ate awesome Mexican food with green chili
Such a fun place to visit.
Final trip to Target to buy a laser sword for Will
and some treasures for Lizzie.
Oh no, could be trouble.
Final day, I pulled out Lizzie's
wiggly loose front tooth.
She is growing up!
I loved spending time with these little ones. I can home pretty much exhausted but glad I could help out Claire and R. It was so good to be back home with Rick. Being a Grandmother is the best.
